i\‘ |k^S^B ■^^n^v^SoBF -m^JCB lyri^p^AjBp \ mSMm ■lii. -' ^SS^' ^\ ' l^f. SBb'^ VOLUME 10 NUMBER 1 19 9 5 Western Australian Herbarium Department of Conservation and Land Management Como, Western Australia NUYTSIA Published by the Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152. All papers should be submitted to the Editor. SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS UNIT Coordinator: Kevin E. Kenneally Editor: Marianne R.L. Lewis Assistant Editor: Wendy Searle The journals Nuytsia and CALMScience are products of the Science Publications Unit which links the work of two CALM divisions: Science and Information, and Corporate Relations. They form part of the latter's Programs and Publications section. Their purpose is to present the scientific work of CALM to a professional readership on a regular basis. NUYTSIA EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Kevin F. Kenneally (Editor) Judy R. Wheeler (Assistant Editor) N.S. Lander T.D. Macfarlane N.G. Marchant B.L. Rye Wendy Searle (Editorial Assistant/Page Preparation) ENQUIRIES Enquiries regarding distribution and subscriptions should be addressed to the Marketing Manager, Corporate Relations Division, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, WA 6152. Phone: (09) 334 0296 Fax: (09) 334 0498 © Copyright CALM, 1995. ISSN 0085-4417 All material in this journal is copyright and may not be reproduced except with the written permission of the publishers. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia CONTENTS Page Hybrid between Eucalyptus tetraptera and Eucalyptus stoatei from Jerdacuttup, Western Australia. By E.M. Bennett 1 Eucalyptus series Preissianae (Myrtaceae), a new series of Western Australian eucalypts and the description of a new subspecies in the series. By M.I.H. Brooker and A.V. Slee 7 Acacia Miscellany 10. New taxa and notes on previously described taxa of Acacia, mostly section Juliflo me (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), in Western Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 15 Acacia Miscellany 1 1. Miscellaneous taxa of northern and eastern Australia of Acacia section Plurinerves (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 63 /4cacm Miscellany 12. Acac/a myrn/o/ia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae) and its allies in Western Australia. By B.R. Maslin 85 Alyxia tetanifolia (Apocynaceae), a new species from south-west Western Australia. By R.J. Cranfield 103 Robert Brown, the typification of his new Acacia names in edition 2 of Aiton’s “ Hortus Kewensis”. By B.R. Maslin and R.S. Cowan 107 New and priority taxa in the genera Spyridium and Trymalium (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia. By B.L. Rye 119 Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora 141 Correction; Nuytsia 9(3):399-414 141 Publication date of Nuytsia Volume 9 Number 3 141 Notes for Authors 142 Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Cover Nuytsia Jloribunda (Labill.) R. Br. ex Fenzl (Loranthaceae) - ihe Western Australian Christmas Tree is one of the few aborescent mistletoes in the world. This endemic tree is a semi-parasite common in sandy soil from the Murchison River to Israelite Bay. The journal is named after the plant, which in turn commemorates Pieter Nuijts, an ambassador of the Dutch East India Company, who in 1627 accompanied the “Guide Zeepard” on one of the first explorations along the south coast of Australia. Cover design by Sue Marais Photograph A.S. George Nuytsia 10 (1): 1-5 (1995) 1 Hybrid between Eucalyptus tetraptera and Eucalyptus stoatei from Jerdacuttup, Western Australia E.M. Bennett Kings Park and Botanic Garden, West Perth, Western Australia 6005 Abstract E.M. Bennett. Hybrid between Eucalyptus tetraptera and Eucalyptus stoatei from Jerdacuttup, Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 (1): 1-5 (1995). An horticulturally attractive hybrid hetween Eucalyptus tetraptera Turcz. and Eucalyptus stoatei C. Gardner from near Jerdacuttup, Western Australia, is described. It is proposed this be named Eucalyptus x stoataptera E.M. Bennett. Introduction This spectacular small tree or medium sized mallee, a hybrid between Eucalyptus tetraptera Turcz. and Eucalyptus stoatei C. Gardner, was first seen by the author in 1980 when living in the Ravensthorpe area. After leaving Ravensthorpe in 1981 only a few field trips were made back to the area, unfortunately these were when the hybrid was not flowering. However fruiting material was collected for the Kings Park nursery and seed has been germinated. In late August 1991 the area was again visited specifically to collect the plants in full flower. Excellent flowering and fruiting collections were made. Eucalyptus x stoataptera E.M. Bennett (Figure 1) Arbor mediocris. Folia oblonga, 9-1 1 x 3-3.5 cm longa. Flos solitarius, pedunculus deorsum curvatis, 30-35 mm longus, 10-20 mm latus. Alabastrum breviter pedicellatum, pendus, quadrialatus; operculum conicum; stamine inflexa. Fructus pendens, ruber fuscescens, quadrialatus. Typus: 18.8 km east along Upper Jerdacuttup Road, (just west of Mason Bay Road) between Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun, E.M. Bennett 5593, 6th October 1991 (holo: PERTH). Upright tree to 4 m tall with dense canopy; bark smooth, dark grey and light grey. Young stems angular, mature stems round in section. Adult leaves, petiolate, alternate, oblong, apiculate, 9- 1 1 x 3-3.5 cm, concolorous, glossy, thick, reticulation dense, broken with scattered, obscure oil glands. Flowers solitary; peduncle downcurved, angular at base becoming Battened beneath calyx, 30-35 mm 2 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Figure 1 . A-B Eucalyptus tetmptera A - bud and leaf, B - fruit. C-D Eucalyptus stoatapter^ C - bud and leaf, D - fruit. E-F Eucalyptus stoatei E - bud and leaf, F - fruit. Illustrations by M.‘ Andrews. E.M. Bennett, Eucalyptus hybrid 3 long. Buds very shortly pedicellate, pendulous, red, square in cross section with the corners extended into wings, coarsely 2-4-ribbed between wings, 4.2-4. 8 cm x 2.4-2. 8 cm; operculum conical; stamens strongly inflexed in bud, ± intlexed in flower, 4-8 mm long; anthers versatile, sub-basifixed, ovoid, 1.5 mm long opening in longitudinal slits; flowers apricot. Fruit shortly pedicellate, pendulous, red becoming brown with age, square in cross section, 3. 6-5. 8 cm x 2. 5-3. 2 cm with 4 wings, each 5-9 mm broad with 1-5 ribs between, rim 5.7 mm thick, disc descending; valves 3 or 4. Flowering period. August-September Distribution. Western Australia in the Eyre Botanical District of the South-west Botanical Province. Habitat. In sandy-loam soil where the distribution of Eucalyptus tetraptera and Eucalyptus stoatei overlap. Grows in low to medium mallee shrubland with Eucalyptus tetraptera. Eucalyptus stoatei and Eucalyptus kessellii Maiden and Blakely the common mallee species. Conservation status. A restricted hybrid known from along a road verge adjoining agricultural land. The hybrid is listed as Priority Two in the Declared Rare and Priority Flora list for WA, 1992. It has the category of 2V of Briggs and Leigh (1988). Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Hopetoun, west of Swamp Road, on Jerdacuttup Road,^.^. Bennett 1980 (PERTH); Jerdacuttup,£.A/. Bennett, September 1980 (PERTH); 12 miles along Jerdacuttup Road from Ravensthorpe, V. Klaplake S954, 29.12.1969 (KPBG). Etymology. As it is certainly a hybrid between these two species a combination of both the parents’ names is used. Discussion This hybrid has many of the stunning features of both parents. It has the upright habit of Eucalyptus stoatei but the large, glossy leaves of Eucalyptus tetraptera. The stamen colour is apricot, between the yellow of E. stoatei and pink/red of E. tetraptera, again a colour not common in eucalypts and is offset by the bright red calyx characteristic of both parents. There were several plants of the hybrid of varying age growing throughout the area. Currently seedlings growing at Kings Park are a few years away from flowering. Below is tabled the comparisons between the two parents and the hybrid. 4 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Comparison table between Eucalyptus stoatei, Eucalyptus tetraptera and Eucalyptus x stoataptera E. tetraptera Species E. stoatei E. X stoataptera Habit low, spreading mallee upright tree upright tree Stems Young angular angular angular Mature angular round round Leaves Petiole length 25-56 mm 13-20 mm 22-30 mm width 2.5-5 mm 1.5-2 mm 2-3 mm Lamina length 115-185(250) mm 55-90 mm 90- 1 1 0 mm width 30-52(70) mm 17-27 mm 30-35 mm shape lanceolate elliptic/oblong oblong/ obovate Apex: shape apiculate mucronate apiculate size 10-12 mm 3-6 mm 5-1 1 mm Bud Operculum length 12-32 mm 10-12 mm 15-20 mm width 22-24 mm 10-12 mm 15-24 mm ribs 4 12-14 at base 0 Calyx length 36-40 mm 40-48 mm 29-35 mm width 24-28 mm 17-19 mm 24-26 mm depth of wing 5-8(12) mm - 1-3(5) mm rib number 0 12-17 2-4 depth of ribs - 1-3 mm 0.2- 1.2 mm Peduncle length 18-28 mm 16-57 mm 30-35 mm width 12-34 mm 5-6 mm 10-20 mm appearance tightly recurved drooping recurved TS V-shaped angular nearly flat Pedicel length 0 (8)12-15mm short, not readily seen Stamens colour pink yellow apricot length 12-14 mm 9-11 mm 12-15 mm anther 1.5 mm 1-1.25 mm 1.5 mm Fruit Calyx length 43-65 mm 40-50 mm 36-58 mm width 26-40 mm 25-27 mm 25-32 mm major wings 4 0 4 depth of wing 8-10 mm - 5-9 mm number of ribs 0 12-17 1-5 depth of ribs - 1.5-3. 5 mm 0.5- 1.5 thickness 1 1-20 mm 1 -3 mm 5-7 mm E.M. Bennett, Eucalyptus hybrid 5 Peduncle length 12-17 mm 30-57 mm 30-42 mm width (at apex) 19-20 mm 6-10 mm 15-19 mm Pedicel length 0 10-17 mm 6-8 mm Seeds Colour black black black Dorsal side shallow smooth shallow reticulations or shallow reticulations Ventral side ribs ascending reticulations ribs ascending ribs ascending to hilum to hilum to hilum Cotyledons Shape bilobed bilobed bilobed Length 8.5-9 mm 9 mm 9 mm Width 4.5 mm 3.5 mm 4 mm Veining 3 prominent 3 + prominent 3 prominent Colour of undersurface red red red Flowering Aug. -Dec. Dec. -Feb. Aug. -Sept. NOTE: All measurements of bud and fruit width exclude the wing. The above illustrates that the hybrid, Eucalyptus x stoataptera is sufficiently different to distinguish it from the two parents. References Atkins, K.J. (1994). “ Declared rare and priority flora list for Western Australia.” Unpublished document, 52 pp. (Department of Conservation and Land Management: [Como].) Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. (1988). "Rare or Threatened Australian Plants.” Revi.sededn. (Australian National Parks & Wildlife Service: Canberra.) Brooker, M.I.H. & Kleinig, D.A. (1990). “Field Guide to Eucalypts” Vol. 2. (Inkata Press: Melbourne.) Chippendale, G.M. (1988). “Flora of Australia” Vol. 19. (AGPS: Canberra.) Nuytsia 10 (1): 7-13 (1995) 7 Eucalyptus series Preissianae (Myrtaceae), a new series of Western Australian eucalypts and the description of a new subspecies in the series M.I.H. Brooker and A.V. Slee CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601 Abstract Brooker, M.I.H. and Slee, A.V. Eucalyptus ser. Preissianae (Myrtaceae), a new series of Western Australian eucalypts and the description of a new subspecies in the series. Nuytsia 10 (1): 7-13 (1995). A new taxon. Eucalyptus ser. Preissianae, comprising subser. Pluriloculares Blakely and Glandulares Blakely, and a new taxon, E. preissiana subsp. lobata are described, accompanied by illustrations and a distribution map. Introduction Eucalyptus preissiana Schau. was published in 1844 and E. megacarpa F. Muell. in 1860. Both were placed in the heterogeneous subseries Robustae by Bentham (1867), a taxon apparently named from the large flowers, thick pedicels and thick leaves. While the species were placed in succession, Bentham made no mention of affinities. Maiden (1913) recognized the natural affinity of E. preissiana with E. megacarpa (and E. cosmophylla F. Muell. and£. globulus hab\\\. which must be disregarded in this context), following which, Blakely (1934) placed the two species in consecutive monotypic subsevies, Pluriloculares and Glandulares respectively. Blakely was apparently unaware of the publication of£. coronata Gardner in 1931 , although this species was included in a reprinting of Blakely’s “Key to the Eucalypts” in 1955 in subser. Glandulares with E. megacarpa. The diagnoses for the subseries Pluriloculares and Glandulares contrast only the characters habit and bud shape. Blakely’s assertion that the staminal filaments of £. megacarpa are glandular with no corresponding comment regarding E. preissiana is misleading as all four species of the series have glandular filaments. Nevertheless, the subseries indicate the true division in the series based on the more reliably diagnostic characters seed colour and shape, flower colour and leaf ontogeny as shown below. 8 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) While Blakely’s recognition of the affinity between the two species has been upheld by all subsequent authors, Carr & Carr (1962) demonstrated his incorrect placement of them in section Macrantheme and that they belonged to the renantherous group of eucalypts {Monocalyptus in Carr & Carr’s terminology, a group generally referred to as the monocalypts). The subsequently published E. aquilina Brooker (1974) also belongs with E. preissiana, E. corotiata and E. megacarpa and the four species constitute a taxonomic series. This was recognized by Pryor & Johnson (1971) who segregated the only three species published to the time in an extra- codical series Preissianae. By 1971 only twelve Western Australian Monocalyptus species had been published. In the following fifteen years eleven more species were published. Some of these obviously did not fit into any known classification. Consequently, a revised, necessarily enlarged classification for the Western Australian monocalypts was required. This was provided informally by Ladiges, Humphries & Brooker (1986) as result of their cladistic analyses of all the species involved. The system comprised two sections divided ultimately into twelve taxonomic series (some by implication, e.g. the monotypic subsection Patens consisting of E. patens is not divided into taxa between subsection and species), one of which was the “Preissianinae” . The series was split into two subseries, “Coronatitae” (E. megacarpa, E. coronata and E. aquilina) and “Preissianitae" (E. acies and E. preissiana). We now reject the alliance in Ladiges, Humphries & Brooker of E. acies with E. preissiana on the grounds of its ( 1 ) reflexed not erect inflorescences, (2) 7- not 3-flowered inflorescences, (3) much smaller buds and fruits, (4) non-glandular filaments of the stamens, (5) incurved not longitudinal dehiscence slits of the anthers, (6) annular not lobed disc of the fruit and (7) number of valves of the fruit predominantly 3 or 4 not 5-7, and agree with the suggestion of Ladiges (pers. comm.) that E. acies might be better placed at the base of the clade. Of the four closely related species, E. preissiana is the most divergent, with E. megacarpa also somewhat distant from the closely related pair, E. coronata and E. aquilina. Chippendale (1988) placed the preissiana group of species with the monocalypts in ser. Diversiformes. This series is heterogeneous and bears no relationship to the classification published two years previously by Ladiges et al. and, as constituted, should be disregarded. In this paper we formally establish the taxonomic series comprising the preissiana group of species and recognize the natural division within it. Seedling studies Without reference to other species. Maiden (1913) remarked that the juvenile foliage of Eucalyptus megacarpa was not “glandular-hairy” and later (1930) referred to the “stellate” hairs of the juvenile leaves of E. preissiana. In the study by Ladiges et al. (1987) the seedlings of all the species concerned were assessed for various morphological features. The presence or absence of verrucae on the seedling stems was not M.I.H. Brooker and A.V. Slee, Eucalyptus ser. Preissianae 9 determined, but E. preissiana was considered unique as the only species with hairs on the cap cells of emergent oil glands. In a smaller seedling study undertaken for the purposes of this paper, we have found “warts” or “hairs” on the seedling stems of all of the above species. It was confirmed that E. preissiana had the indumentum described by Ladiges et al. (Figure 1 A). Verrucae were found to be poorly developed in E. megacarpa (Figure IB), but in E. aquilina (Figure 1C) and E. coronata, they show greater development in having a distinct apical group of cells, obviously an incipient condition of the emergent oil glands with elongated apical cells of E. preissiana. Figure I. A. Typical emergent oil gland on the seedling stem.s of E. preissiana subsp. preissiana (Brooker 8932 (x260)); B. Typically well-developed wart on seedling stem of E. megacarpa (Brooker 5032 (x480)); C. Typical wart on seedling stem of E. aquilina (Brooker 7495 (x360)). 10 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Taxonomy Eucalyptus ser. Preissianae Pryor & Johnson ex Brooker & Slee, ser. nov. Arbores vel frutices cortice laevi. Caules plantularum verrucosi vel pubescentes. Folia plantularum sessilia, opposita per 5-10 nodos. Inflorescentiae axillares, 3-floribus, in pedunculis robustis, complanatis. Alabastra fructusque magni. Filamenta staminum glandulifera. Antherae rimis longitudinalibus dehiscentes. Fructus plus minusve sessili, disco lobato et 4-7 valvis. Informal E. ser. Preissianae Pryor & Johnson, “Classification of the Eucalypts” p. 39 (1971). Informal E. ser. Preissianinae Ladiges, Humphries & Brooker, Aust. J. Bot. 35; 264 (1987),/;ro parte maxima. E. ser. Diversiformes Blakely sensu Chippendale “Flora Australia” p. 123 (1988). Type: E. preissiana Schauer Trees or mallees with smooth bark. Seedling stems warty or with cap cells developing into hairs. Seedling leaves sessile, remaining opposite for 5-10 pairs, flat or undulate at the edges, broadly elliptical, non glaucous. Adult leaves alternate, petiolate, lanceolate to falcate, or remaining opposite to subopposite, shortly petiolate, elliptic to broad-lanceolate. /n/Zorescencei' axillary, unbranched, erect or pendulous; peduncles stout, flattened, 3-flowered. Buds ± sessile, large, smooth or ribbed, with a single operculum. Stamens oblique or inflexed, all fertile; filaments glandular. Anthers dorsifixed, strongly versatile, opening by longitudinal, non-conlluent slits. Ovules in 2 vertical rows. Flowerswhhc or yellow. Fruit ± sessile, large, obconical or cupular; disc broad, shiny red-brown when fresh, annular or obliquely descending, smooth or with gross lobes over the valves; valves 4-7. Seedh\a.ck or brown. D-shaped or subpyramidal, with large, terminal, hilum. Distribution. Western Australia. Coastal and subcoastal from south-east of Perth (E. megacarpa) almost to Thistle Cove east of Esperance {E. aquilina), including Sandy Hook Island in Esperance harbour. (Figure 2) Key to subseries 1 . Seed black, highly irregular, somewhat pyramidal; crown of lanceolate or falcate adult leaves; seedling stems warty, but lacking hairs; flowers white subseries Glandulares 1. Seed brown or red-brown, regularly D-shaped and flattened; crown of elliptical to broadly lanceolate, juvenile or intermediate leaves; seedling stems with hairs on the cap cells of emergent oil glands; flowers yellow suhsenes Pluriloculares Eucalyptus subser. Glandulares Blakely, “Key Eucalypts” 35 (1934) Type: E. megacarpa F. Muell. Three species endemic to south-west Western Australia. M l.H. Brooker and A.V. Slee, Eucalyptus ser. Preissianae I I Figure 2. Distribution of E. ser. Preissianae. E. megacarpa (stars), E. preissiana subsp. preissiana (squares), E. coronata (circles), E. preissiana subsp. lobata (solid triangles), E. aqiiilina (open triangles). Key to species 1. Buds and fruit strongly ribbed E. coronata I . Buds and fruit smooth 2. Fruit with gross, protruding lobes of the disc E. aquilina 2. Fruit with annular or inward-sloping disc, lobes lacking or inconspicuous E. megacarpa For full descriptions of these species see Brooker & Kleinig (1990: 94-96). Eucalyptus subset'. Pluriloculares Blakely, “Key Eucalypts” 35 (1934). Type: E. preissiana Schauer. A monotypic subseries. A new subspecies in E. preissiana Eucalyptus preissiana Schau. is a well-known, small eucalypt occurring in Western Australia from the Stirling Range eastwards almost to Esperance. With its low, thin-stemmed sprawling habit and large yellow flowers, it is a favourite ornamental (Brooker & Kleinig 1990). 12 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Recent collections of E. preissiana in the eastern part of its distribution have brought to light the distinctive fruits of the form growing from the Starvation Boat Harbour road eastwards to Quagi Beach, east of Stokes Bay National Park. The fruits with their extreme, protruding lobes of the disc are indistinguishable from those of E. aquilina Brocket. Morphology is otherwise that for£'. preissiana including seedling indumentum (see above) and persistence of juvenile/intermediate foliage on the mature plant. In addition, these plants in their easterly distribution become more depauperate. Along the road to Quagi Beach they grow in a pure stand on limestony dunes and barely exceed one metre in height. The flowers and fruit are held prominently at the tops of the shrubs. We treat this eastern form as a new subspecies. Key to taxa 1 . Fruit with inward-sloping disc, lacking lobes or lobes small and below rim level E. preissiana subsp. preissiana 1. Fruit with gross, protruding lobes of the disc \. E. preissiana subsp. lobata 1. Eucalyptus preissiana subsp. lobata Brooker & Slee, subsp. nov. (Figures 1,2,3) A subspecie typica habitu minori et fructibus lobis disci magnis protrusis differt. It differs from the typical subspecies by the lower habit and the fruit with large protruding lobes to the disc. Typus: 9.2 km along Farrell’s Road from highway towards Quagi Beach, Western Australia, (33° 47'S, 121° 17"E), 25 November 1991, M.I.H. Brooker 10909 & P.M. Grayling (hole: CANB; iso: AD, NSW, PERTH). Specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Fanny Cove, 27 Oct. 1963, T.E.H. Aplin 2650b (PERTH); c. 5 km south of Springvale Road on Starvation Boat Harbour road, 11 Apr. 1985, M.I.H. Brooker 8933 (CANB, MEL, NSW, PERTH); type locality, 25 Nov. 1991, M.I.H. Brooker 10910, 10911 (CANB); 14 km east of mouth of Oldfield River, 12 Oct. 1968, Hj. Eichler20202 (AD, CANB, PERTH). Distribution and habitat. The new subspecies is known only from the vicinity of Starvation Boat Harbour east to Quagi Beach west of Esperance (Figure 1 ). The exact distribution has not been mapped. At the latter site it occurs notably on limestone rises north of the beach. A collection from 15 km south- west of Cape Riche {Brooker 6691, CANB) has fruit with a ± horizontal disc and lobes quite pronounced and is morphologically intermediate between the type form and subsp. lobata. Conservation status. Possibly rare, but in need of further survey. It has been sampled once within Stokes Bay National Park, at Fanny Cove {Aplin 2650b). A Priority 2 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Flowering period. Unknown, but a few plants were in flower in November 1991. Eichler 20202, collected in October, has a single flower. M.I.H. Brooker and A.V. Slee, Eucalyptus ser. Preissianae 13 Figure 3. Fruit of A - preissiana subsp. labata (Brooker 10909, type, near Qiiagi Beach) and B - E. preissiana subsp. preissiana (Brooker 8034, Stirling Range). Etymology. From the Latin lobatus - lobed, referring to the lobes of the disc. Notes. E. preissiana (type from Cape Riche) was discussed by Mueller in “Eucalyptographia” (1879). Fie gave the distribution as “extending as least as far as Stoke’s Inlet (Maxwell)” without alluding to any pecularities of this eastern form. Acknowledgements We are grateful to William Archer for drawing our attention to these plants, to Kevin Thiele for the illustrations of the fruits, and to Celia Miller for assistance with preparation of material for the scanning electron microscopy. References Bentham, G. (1867). “Flora Australien.sis” Vol, 3 (L. Reeve & Co.: London,) Blakely, W.F. (1934). “A Key to the Eucalypts.” (The Worker Tru.stee.s: .Sydney.) Brooker, M.I.FI. & Kleinig, D.A. (1990). “Field Guide to Eucalypts” Vol. 2 (Inkata Pre.ss: Melbourne.) Carr, S.G.M. & Carr, D.J. (1962). Convergence and progre.ssion in Eucalyptus and Symphyomyrtus . Nature 196: 969-972. Ladiges, P.Y.. Humphries, C.J. & Brooker, M.I.H. ( 1 987). Cladistic and biogeographic analysis of western Australian .species of Eucalyptus L’Herit., informal subgenus Monocalyptus Pryor & John.son. Austral. J. Bot. 35: 251-281. Maiden, J.H. (1913). “A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus” Part 18 (Government Printer: Sydney.) Maiden, J.H. (1930). “A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus" Part 74 (Government Printer: Sydney.) Mueller, F. (1879). “Eucalyptographia." (Govt, Printer: Melbourne.) Pryor, L.D. & Johnson, L.A.S. (1971). “A Classification of the Eucalypts.” (Australian National University Press: Canberra.) Nuytsia 10 (1): 15-62 (1995) 15 Acacia Miscellany 10. New taxa and notes on previously described taxa of Acacia, mostly section Julijlorae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), in Western Australia R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Abstract Cowan, R.S. and B.R. Maslin. Acacia Miscellany 10. New taxa and notes on previously described taxa of Acacia, mostly section Juliflorae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), in Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 (1): 15-62 (1995). Coincident to clarifying the delimitation of several species described earlier, 20 new Western Australian taxa are proposed and one new combination made: A. ampliata Cowan & Maslin (related to A. jamesiana Maslin), A. coolgardiensis subsp. ejfusa Cowan & Maslin and subsp. latior Cowan & Maslin, A. cuthbertsonii subsp. linearis Cowan & Maslin, A. cylindrica Cowan & Maslin (related to A. heteroneura Benth.), A. demissa Cowan & Maslin (related to A. quadrimarginea F. Muell.), A. desertoriim subsp. nudipes Cowan & Maslin, A. epedunculata Cowan & Maslin (related to A. heteroneura Benth.), A. gibbosa Cowan & Maslin (tenuously related to A. websteri Maiden & Blakely), A, heteroneura var. petila Cowan & Maslin, var. prolixa Cowan & Maslin and vds.jutsonii (Maiden) Cowan & Maslin, comb, et stat. nov. (based on A. jutsonii Maiden), A. incongesta Cowan & Maslin (related to A. neurophylla W. Fitzg.),A. /evato Cowan & Maslin (related to A. cuthbertsonii Luehm.), A. neurophylla subsp. erugata Cowan & Maslin, A. oncinophylla subsp. patulifolia Cowan & Maslin, A. repanda Cowan & Maslin (related to A. ephedroides Benth.), A. singula Cowan & Maslin (related to A. multispicata Benth.), A. stereophylla var. cyUndrata Cowan & Maslin, A. xanthocarpa Cowan & Maslin (of unknown affinity), and A. yorkrakinensis sub.sp. acrita Cowan & Maslin. In addition, lectotypifications are recorded for the following names: A. coolgardiensis Maiden, A. ephedroides Benth., A. jutsonii Maiden, A. multispicata Benth., and A. sessilispica Maiden & Blakely. Introduction This contribution continues our series of papers to validate names and to record selection of lectotypes in advance of their publication in the “Flora of Australia”. 16 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Methods Arrangement of the text. The text is comprised of descriptions of new taxa, discussions and notes on previously described taxa and lectotypifications of names. The binomials representing individual taxa, as well as those used to designate informal groupings of taxa, are arranged in alphabetical order. Taxa within the three informal groups that are recognized here, namely, the A. heteroneura group, the A. multispicata group and the A. neurophylla group, are also ordered alphabetically. Taxonomic rank. It is perhaps useful to comment on our approach to the application of rank to the taxa described here and in forthcoming issues of the journal, as well as in the “Flora of Australia” treatment of Acacia. Absolute consistency in this regard is not possible because the assignment of rank is largely a subjective exercise dependent on ones knowledge of the relevant taxa. In a group of such magnitude as the genus Acacia the problem is compounded. Our basic premise is that taxa are biological entities with an evolutionary history; they should exhibit geographic integrity and have more or less distinct morphologic discontinuities. Assessment of the importance of these morphologic differences contributes heavily to our determination of rank. For a population or populations to be accorded species recognition we would wish there to be one or more distinct features in both the vegetative and reproductive systems. However, for practical reasons which are noted below we have not always been able to realize this ideal. We have used the categories of subspecies and variety to call attention to degrees of distinctness of populations within the species. Furthermore, we have attempted to indicate variation within taxa by recognizing informal entities, referred to as variants. The reason for not formally recognizing these variants is the very considerable time and effort, especially in field studies over long distances, that is required to distinguish and rank theentities reliably. Moreover, recognition of informal variants identifies research opportunities for future botanists. Because the determination of rank has its nomenclatural and bibliographic consequences and because we preferred not to change cun'ent nomenclature any more than absolutely necessary, we have taken a conservative approach. This is evinced by: (1) the rank we have accorded new taxa (our taxa might be treated at a level higher by some workers); (2) the fact that we have commonly adopted the rank and names used by earlier authors, particularly for species; and (3) our having recognized variants, rather than giving these a formal rank. Typification. Our approach to typification is discussed elsewhere (Maslin & Cowan, in press). Conservation status. We have assessed conservation status of taxa included in this treatment using the criteria outlined on page 141 of this journal. Measurements. All measurements and observations were made from dried specimens unless stated otherwise. Descriptions and notes 1. Acacia ampliata Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex vel arbuscula 2-5 m alta, cortice cinereo longitudinaliter et subtiliter fissurato. Ramuli subteretes, modice flexuosi, appresso-puberuli. Stipulae caducae. Phyllodia lineari-elliptica ad linearia. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 17 acuta, pulvino 2-2.5 mm longo, appresso-puberulo, lamini.s 8-19 cm longis, 3-6 mm latis, rigidis, ascendentibus, rectis vel plerumque incurvatis, obscure appresso-puberulis sed glabrescentibus, subglaucis, in quoque superficie venis secondariis numerosis, arete parallels, nervo medio conspicue elevato, nervo marginali late expanso; glande obscura, laminae prope basem. Pedunculi 1 vel 2 in quoque axilla, 3.5-9 mm longi, appresso-puberuli; capitula lato-ellipsoideae ad oblongoideae, aureae, 9-12 mm longae, 7-8 mm diametro, dense floribus, bracteolis longo-stipitatis, spathulatis, puberulis et pilis rubro-brunneis resinosisque. Flores 5-meri. Sepala longitudine 1/2-3/4 petali partes aequantia, lineari-spathulata, 1/2-connata, puberula et pilis rubro-brunneis dispersis. Petala 2/3-3/4-connata, plus minusve appresso-puberula. Ovarium argenteum appresso-puberulum. Legumina crasso-linearia, elevata supra semina et leviter constricta inter semina, ad 1 1 cm longa et 5-6 mm lata, duro-crustacea, leviter curvata, longitudinaliter nervata, minute appresso-puberulis cum pilis rubro-brunneis. Semina longitudinalia, lato-elliptica ad elliptico-oblonga, 4.5-6 mm longa, 3-3.5 mm lata, 1-1.5 mm crassitie, nitide atrato-brunneo-nigra. pleurogramma in area subalba, areola pallida, minuta, arillo multi-plicato et voluminoso, terminal!, aureo(?). Typus: 5 km S of Mullewa on road to Mingenew, Western Australia, IVDecember 1981,5./?. Maslin 5079 (holo: PERTH 00162841; iso; CANS, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY). Shrub ox small tree 2-5 m tall with grey, longitudinally finely fissured bark. Branchlets subterete, slightly ribbed, often somewhat flexuose, appressed puberulous with short, silvery hairs interspersed with scattered patches of red-brown resin-hairs. New growth densely invested with red-brown resin- hairs. Stipules caducous. Phyllodes linear-elliptic to linear, 8-19 cm long, 3-6 mm wide, rigid, ascending, straight to more often incurved, obscurely appressed puberulous but glabrescent between nerves, subglaucous; apex acute with thickened tip; pulvinus 2-2.5 mm long, appressed puberulous; nerves numerous, closely parallel, the midnerve conspicuously raised, the marginal nerves conspicuous and broader than the thickness of the blade; gland obscure, near base of blade. Peduncles 1 or 2 per node, 3.5-9 mm long, appressed puberulous and with patches of red-brown resin-hairs; heads maturing one before the other when paired, widely ellipsoid to oblongoid, golden, 9-12 mm long, 7-8 mm diam., densely flowered; bracteoles spathulate to subpeltate, puberulous, the lamina at right angles to elongate stipe and with scattered red-brown resin-hairs. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2-3/4 petal length, 1/2-united, linear with apex somewhat expanded, puberulous vvith red-brown resin-hairs on tip. Petals 2/3-3/4-united, puberulous, at least on nerve, the hairs more or less appressed. Ovary silvery appressed- puberulous. Pods thick-linear, raised over and slightly constricted between seeds, to 1 1 cm long, 5-6 mm wide, hard-crustaceous, slightly curved, longitudinally nerved, 1 or 2 main nerves conspicuous, red-brown, minutely appres.sed-puberulous with red-brown resin-hairs. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic to elliptic-oblong, 4.5-6 mm long, 3-3.5 mm wide, 1-1.5 mm thick, shiny, dark brown-black; pleurogram U-shaped, located in centre of nearly white area; areole minute; aril large, terminal, much-folded, golden (?). Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: c. 10miles[c. 16 km] E of Mullewa towards Pindar, A.M Ashby ASm (PERTH) and C. Phillips iox AM. Ashby A5m (PERTH); S of Coolcalalaya, J.S. Beard 1149 (PERTH); 9,8 miles [15.8 km] E of Mullewa, R.J. Cumming 1933a and 1933b (both PERTH); 3.2 miles [5. 1 km] S of Mullewa towards Mingenew, R.J. Cumming 2 1 84 (PERTH); 3 miles [4.8 km] from Mullewa towards Mingenew. B.R. Maslin 65 (PERTH); 6.4 km from Mullewa towards Mingenew, B.R. Maslin 3641 (PERTH), Distribution. Restricted to the Mullewa area and with one collection from south of Coolcalalaya (c. 100 km north-northwest of Mullewa), southwest Western Australia. 18 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Habitat. In mallee scrub on light brown loam, sandy loam and red or orange sand. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected in April, June, August, October and December; mature seeds have been collected in mid-December. Affinities. The new species is most closely related to A. jamesiana Maslin which is normally readily distinguished by its mostly narrower (1-1.5 mm wide), tetragonous phyllodes, but has very similar flowers, fruits and seeds. Although flat phyllodes are occasionally interspersed with the tetragonous ones in A. jamesiana, they are not above 2 mm wide, except in a specimen from the Carnarvon Range {A.A. Biirbidge 1 1 , PERTH) which has consistently ± flat phyllodes, a few of which reach 3 mm wide. Compared with A. ampliata, the pods of A. jamesiana are slightly narrower (4 mm wide) and ± woody. Acacia jamesiana has a widespread, scattered distribution in the Arid Zone of Western Australia (from near Yalgoo (c. 1 20 km west-southwest of Mount Magnet) northeast to the Carnarvon Range (c. 270 km northeast of Meekatharra) and east to Leinster, with outliers in the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts; A. ampliata is less common and occurs to the west of this range. There is some relationship, but a more distant one, with A. heteroneura Benth. var. heteroneura (see 7.4a below) which has much smaller compressed-rhombic phyllodes (5-7 cm long, occasionally 1 1 cm, 2-4 mm wide), globular heads with less densely arranged flowers, smaller linear pods (to 5.5 cm long, 2 mm wide and smaller (3-3.5 mm long and 1-1.3 mm wide), mottled seeds. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Llora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The name is suggested by the fact that the phyllodes of the new species are wider than those of the related A. jamesiana and heteroneura var. heteroneura, from ampliatus, Latin for expanded or enlarged. 2. Acacia coolgardiensis Maiden, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 53: 211, pi. 15, figs 1-7 (1920) Lectotype (here selected): Coolgardie, Western Australia, 1900, L.C. Webster (NSW; isolecto: K, PERTH 00745731). Paralectotype: Coolgardie, Western Australia, 1899, L.C. WeLjrer (NSW). A. boorabhinensis Hochr., Candollea 2: 377 (1925), synon. nov. Typus: Boorabbin, Western Australia, 15 Lebruary 1905, B.P.G. Hochreutiner 2946 (holo: G). Shrubs or trees 1-7 m tall, commonly with fluted trunks and main branches. Bark fibrous or somewhat fissured near base, usually smooth above, light- to dark-grey, often mottled with pale grey to white. Branchlets terete, appressed-puberulous between resinous-ribs, the resin sometimes conspicuous. Phyllodes terete, subterete, compressed or flat and linear, narrowly oblanceolate or linear- elliptic, 4.5-15 cm long, 0.7-10 mm wide, coriaceous to rigid, patent to ascending, straight to curved, more or less resinous, grey-green, silvery or light-green, sometimes glaucous, commonly minutely appressed puberulous between nerves; apex acute, the tip straight to uncinate; nerves numerous, closely parallel, fine, plane or somewhat rounded with resin; gland at base of blade. Peduncles 2 per node, 0-8 mm long, appressed puberulous and with red resin-hairs; heads globular, widely ellipsoid, oblongoid, or cylindric, golden, 5-34 mm long, 4-7 mm diam.; bracteoles spathulate, dark, the blade perpendicular to the stipe, puberulous and with few to many red, viscid, resin-hairs. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2-2/3 petal-length, free to 1/2-united, oblong to spathulate, puberulous and often with red R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 ‘ 19 resin-hairs. Petals 1/2-2/3-united. Poiii' terete, somewhat constricted between seeds, to 10 cm long, 1 .3-3 mm wide, patent to pendulous, coriaceous, straight to slightly curved, longitudinally lined or ribbed, appressed-puberulous between ribs, often more or less resinous. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong to widely elliptic, 2.2-4 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, 1 mm thick, glossy, tan, the aril terminal, to 1/2 seed length. Distribution. Often locally common in western-central region of Western Australia from near the Overlander Roadhouse (c. 150 km north-northeast of Kalbarri) and Northampton, east to Barwidgee (c. 85 km southeast ot Wiluna) and Menangina Stations (c. 1 10 km north-northeast of Kalgoorlie) and south to near Holt Rock (c. 100 km northeast of Lake Grace), also occurs northeast and east of Overlander Roadhouse at Carey Downs, Byro and Curbur Stations with a northern outlier near Paraburdoo. Typification. In the protologue. Maiden writes: “Type, Coolgardie, Western Australia (1899-1900).” with no mention of a collector. He goes on to list several collections by various collectors but only the L.C. Webster ones are from Coolgardie. At herb. NSW there are two Coolgardie collections by L.C. Webster made between 1899 and 1900 (and a third dated 26 August 1901 which was not mentioned in the protologue and is here regarded as not being a type); we have chosen as lectotype the most logical specimen, one the author saw, annotated and distributed as this species. It is po.ssible that Maiden's failure to nominate a particular collection as type, which was his usual custom, was an unintentional error. All the collections listed in the protologue are at herb. NSW. Hybridity. In the Mullewa to Yalgoo area (Yalgoo isc. 1 15 km east-northeast of Mullewa) subspecies latior and effusa (sessile-head variant) appear to hybridize, judging from the intermediate characters exhibited by such collections as B.R. Maslin 4261 and R.J. Cumming 1952 (both PERTH). These specimens have the phyllodes of subsp. latior but sessile heads. Similarly, in the Comet Vale area (c. 100 km north of Kalgoorlie), the two variants of subsp. ejfusa appear to hybridize; specimens of L. Haegi 934 and of A. Strid 20093 (both PERTH) have the elongate, cylindric heads of the pedunculate-head variant but they are nearly sessile as in the other variant. Infraspecific taxa. Acacia coolgardiensis is a wide-ranging, variable species which we have treated conservatively by recognizing three subspecies, namely, subsp. coolgardiensis. subsp. effusa (comprising two variants) and subsp. latior, a key to these taxa is presented below. With more extensive study than we can undertake at the moment, the species may undergo further subdivision or some of the subspecific taxa may be separated as distinct species. Most of the variation is in the vegetative system, for flowers and fruits are very similar throughout the species. The typical subspecies differs most obviously by its terete phyllodes, the other two having flat ones; in subsp. latior the phyllodes are particularly wide (5-10 mm). Although flower structure is similar throughout the species, peduncle length is of some importance in defining the infraspecific taxa: subsp. latior and one variant of subsp. effusa have obvious peduncles whereas the typical subspecies and its close relative, the sessile-head variant of subsp. effusa, have ± sessile heads (except the peduncles are up to 2 mm long in some collections of subsp. coolgardiensis from the far north of its range, e.g. A.M. Ashby 4580 and 4630). Geographical ranges of the infraspecific taxa overlap significantly and all occur (often sympatrically) in the area between Yalgoo and Mullewa (c/ A.C. Burns 34, B.R. Maslin 4264, 4265 and 4266). 20 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Key to infraspecific taxa oi Acacia coolgardiensis 1 . Phyllodes terete, rarely subterete to compressed, filiform, grey-green; heads 5-14 mm long 2a. subsp. coolgardiensis 1. Phyllodes flat, linear to oblanceolate 2. Peduncles 2.5-8 mm long 3. Phyllodes 5-10 mm wide, narrowly oblanceolate, lincar-oblanceolate or linear elliptic, silvery; heads 8-12 mm long 2c. subsp. latior 3. Phyllodes linear, 1-3 mm wide, pale green to grey-green or glaucous; heads 12-34 mm long . 2b. subsp. ejfusa (pedunculate-head variant) 2. Peduncles 0- 1 .5 mm long; heads not more than 10 mm long 2b. subsp. ejfusa (sessile-head variant) 2a. Acacia coolgardiensis Maiden subsp. coolgardiensis Illustration. J.H. Maiden, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 53: 21 1, pi. 15, figs. 1-7 (1920). Trunks normally fluted with smooth grey bark, rarely fissured near the base. Phyllodes terete, rarely subterete or compressed, filiform, 6-15 cm long, 0.7-1 mm diam., grey-green. Peduncles typically lacking, rarely to 2 mm long; heads globular, widely ellipsoid or oblongoid, 5-14 mm long, 5-6 mm diam. Sepals free, occasionally to 1/2-united, Pods to 1 0 cm long, 1 .5-2 mm diam. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Railway Reserve 6.5 km N of Beacon, T.E.H. Aplin 5957 (PERTH); 6.2 miles [9.9 km] N of Mullewa, A.M. Ashby 4580 (MEL, NSW, PERTH); [25 kmN of Murchison River on North West Coastal Highway [, A.M A.shbyA&iO (PERTH, also AD but n.v.)\ 32 km S Paynes Find, J.S. Beard 2634 (PERTH); between Carey Downs and Callytharra, J.S. Beard 6848 (PERTH); 200 km N of Northampton, W.E. Blackall 4559 (PERTH); 1.8 miles [2.9 km] from Kununoppin towards Nungarin, R.J. Gumming 2265 (MELU, PERTH); Dalwallinu side of Nugadong, M Flynn 19 (PERTH); Coolgardic, C.A. Gardner 1293 (PERTH); 1/2 mile [0.8 km] N of Queen Victoria Rocks, A.S. George 4238 (PERTH); 132 miles [218.8 km] and upwards, Watheroo Rabbit Fence, September 1904, M Koch 1338a (NSW, PERTH); 1/4 mile [0.4 km] W of Boorabbin Siding, B.R. Maslin 1858 (AD, DNA, PERTH); 16 miles [25.7 km] SW of Kalgoorlie towards Coolgardie, B.R. Maslin 1 899 (HO, NY, PERTH); 23 km N of Murchison River on North West Coastal Highway,/!./?. Maslin 3338 (CANB, E, PERTH); c. 13 km S of Morawa towards Wubin, B.R. Maslin 3363 (BM, MO, PERTH, SPL); near Modesty Downs Station, c. 21.5 km N of Holt Rock, B.R. Maslin 3938 (PERTH); 59 km W of Yalgoo towards Mullewa, B.R. Maslin 4262 (PERTH); 45 km E of Mullewa towards Yalgoo, B.R. Maslin 4263 (MEL, PERTH); 9 km E of Mullewa on road to Mount Magnet, B.R. Maslin 4503 (PERTH); 97.5 km NNE of Kalgoorlie on road to Edjudina Station, B.R. Maslin 4849 (PERTH); 70 km E of Merredin on Great Eastern Highway to Southern Cross, R./?. Maslin 6012 (MEL, NSW, PERTH); Curbur Station, A. L. Payne 1 1 1 (CANB, K, PERTH); Bruce Rock-Merredin area, F. Stoward 8 and 14 (both NSW); Kunonoppin, F. Steward 75 (NSW) andF.E. Wc/or 37 (PERTH); Coolgardie, 26 August 1901,L.C. Wc/wfer (NSW, PERTH 00609420). Distribution. Occurs principally from Nerren Nerren Station (c. 80 km northeast of Kalbarri) and Northampton, southeast to near Holt Rock (c. 100 km northeast of Lake Grace) and Menangina Station (c. 80 km east of Menzies), but also occurs from near the Overlander Roadhouse (c. 90 km north of Nerren Nerren Station), and also c. 200 km north and northeast of Nerren Nerren Station at Carey Downs, Byro and Curbur Stations. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 21 Habitat. Grows in a wide variety of soils from granitic or lateritic gravel to sands of all colours, sandy loam or loam, often on sandplains but also on low hills and granite outcrops in shrubland and “spinifex”. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering from July in the north to August and September through most of the range, occasionally in October; fruits with mature seeds collected October-January, mostly December. Discussion. It is necessary to observe mature phyllodes to assess accurately the nervature in this subspecies, for specimens often have 8-nerved phyllodes in the apical portions of the branchlet and the later condition of having numerous nerves becomes evident only in the mature phyllodes farther down the branchlet. There is also a frequent variant that occurs throughout most of the range which has the branchlet ribs strongly resinous, the resin in conspicuous inter-connected globules, and the phyllodes shiny-resinous with the nerves appearing raised because of the overburden of resin. It is not a seasonal phenomonen, for the condition can be found on fruiting and flowering specimens equally. While fluted main stems and branches with smooth bark is typical for the subspecies, two collections {B.R. Maslin 4262 and 4503) have unfluted or only slightly fluted main stems and the bark is fibrous and stringy. The same sort of variation occurs in subsp. latior. Conservation status. Widespread and locally common in many places; not considered rare or endangered. 2b. Acacia coolgardiensis subsp. effusa Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. Trunci convoluti, cortice griseo laevi; phyllodia plana, linearia, 4.5-13.5 cm longa, 1-3 mm lata, pallido-viridia vel cinereo-viridia vel glauca; pedunculi 0 vel ad 8 mm longi, capitulis globularibus ad cylindricis, 5-34 mm longis, 5-6 mm diametro; sepala discreta; legumina ad 8 cm longa et 1 .5-2 mm lato. Typus: 17.5 km SE of Mullewa towards Morawa, Western Australia, 22 August 1973, B.R. Maslin 3356 (holo: PERTH 00718580; iso: CANB, K). Trunks fluted with smooth, grey bark. Phyllodes flat, linear, 4.5-1 3.5 cm long, 1-3 mm wide, pale green, grey-green or glaucous. Peduncles 0-8 mm long; heads globular to cylindric, 5-34 mm long, 5-6 mm diam.; sepals free. Pods to 8 cm long, 1.5-2 mm diam. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 58.9 km S of Overlander Roadhouse, M.E. Ballingall 1892 (CANB, PERTH); Emu Fence N of Cleary, 7.5. Beard 41 \6 (PERTH); 1 km E of Biddy Well, Barwidgee Station, R.J. Cranfield 6835 (K, NY, PERTH); Teutonic Townsite, R. Gumming 1 1 00 (PERTH); 32.6 km N of Cleary on road to Paynes Find, 7. W. Green 5234 (PERTH); western margin of Lake Goongarrie, c. 8.4 km N of Goongarrie Siding, L. Haegi 2003 (PERTH); near Comet Vale, B.R. Maslin 1944 (CANB, K, PERTH); 25.8 km from Paynes Find towards Wubin, B.R. Maslin 3563 (CANB, PERTH); 38 km E of Mullewa towards Yalgoo, B.R. Maslin 4265 (CANB, PERTH); Sturt Meadows, Leonora district, November 1973, R.F. Maslin (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH 00157503); 3 km S of Rabbit Proof Fence at intersection with Wiluna-Meekatharraroad,>4..4. Mitchell 1493 (PERTH); 8.5 km E of Davyhurst, K. Newbey 8788 (PERTH); 78 km N of Kalgoorlie towards Menzies,D. PearsonDJP345 (PERTH); 94 km N of Koorda, E. G. Wilson 6094 (BRI, NSW, PERTH); Mount Channar area, P.A.S. Wurm 1522 (PERTH). 22 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Distribution. Widespread from near Mullewa and north of Cleary (Cleary is c. 100 km east of Dalwallinu) northeast to near Meekathana, Barwidgee Station (c. 85 km southeast of Wiluna) and near Lake Goongarrie (which is c. 40 km south of Menzies); a western outlier occurs south of Wannoo (c. 155 km north of Northampton) and a northern outlier at Mount Channar (c. 35 km southeast of Paraburdoo), Western Australia This distribution encompasses the ranges of the two variants recognized within this subspecies. The pedunculate-head variant (see below) has essentially the distribution of the subspecies; the sessile- head variant is more restricted and occurs predominantly from near Mullewa and near Yalgoo (Yalgoo is c. 115 km east-northeast of Mullewa) southeast to north of Cleary, with a northern outlier south of Wannoo (c. 155 km north of Northampton) and east at Comet Vale (c. 100 km north-northwest of Kalgoorlie). Habitat. Grows mostly in variously coloured sands or loam, often with a high clay content on sandplains or flats, also on low hills and granite outcrops, in “spinifex” grassland with Eucalyptus gonglyocarpa, and in shrubland with various Eucalyptus and Acacia species especially A. aneura. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering July-September; mature fruits with seeds October- November. Variants. Within subsp. effusa two variants are recognized on the basis of the presence or absence of peduncles (see key above). There is also a correlation between presence or absence of peduncles and the length of the heads which gives the impression of different head forms: the pedunculate-head variant has heads 12-34 mm long and those of the sessile-head variant do not exceed 10 mm in length. These two forms of the subspecies may ultimately require more formal recognition but they appear to overlap geographically, as well as morphologically to some extent, and we prefer to treat them as variants, pending more data that will resolve their status more precisely. Affinities. Nearest the typical subspecies, differing primarily in the shape and size of the phyllodes. There is a remarkable resemblance between subsp. effusa and A. raniulosa, not only superficially but with respect to the floral parts and their union; A. raniulosa has very different pods and seeds. Consen’ation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The name refers to the flat, expanded nature of the phyllodes, compared to those of the typical subspecies, from effusus, Latin for spread out or expanded. 2c. Acacia coolgardiensis subsp. latior Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. Trunci interdum convoluti, cortice fibroso, griseo ad atro; phyllodia angusle oblanceolata, lineari- oblanceolata vel lineari-elliptica, 5.5-1 1.5 cm longa, 5-10 mm lata, argentea; pedunculi 4-7 mm longi; capitula lato-ellipsoideae ad oblongoideae, 8-12 mm longae, 5-7 mm diametro; bracteolae lineari- spathulatae ad spathulatae, puberulae, aliquando etiam pilis rubris et resinosis; sepala 1/4-1 /3-con nata; legumina 3-6.5 cm longa, 2-3 mm diametro. Typus: 6.4 km E of Mullewa towards Yalgoo, Western Australia, 2 August 1974, B.R. Maslin 3629 (holo: PERTH 00343188; iso: BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY). R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 23 Trunks sometimes fluted. Bark fibrous, stringy, grey to black. Phyllodes narrowly oblanceolate, linear-oblanceolate or linear-elliptic, 5.5-1 1.5 cm long, 5-10 mm wide, silvery. Peduncles 4-7 mm long; heads widely ellipsoid to oblongoid, 8-12 mm long, 5-7 mm diam., bracteoles linear-spathulate to spathulate, puberulous, sometimes also with scattered red resin-hairs. Sepals 1/4-1/3-united. Pods 3-6.5 cm long, 2-3 mm diam. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Whitewells Station, 64 km E of Perenjori, J.S. Beard Tibi (PERTH); between Cue and Mount Magnet, W.E. Blackall 81 (PERTH); East Yuna Reserve, A. C. Burns 1 A (PERTH); 16.5 miles [24 km] S of Mullewa towards Mnrawa, R.7. Cumming 2189 (PERTH); 60 km W of Yalgoo towards Mullewa, B.R. Maslin 3626 (PERTH); Gabyon Station, A.A. Mitchell 914 (CANB, K, PERTH); 38 km E of Mullewa towards Yalgoo, B.R. Maslin 4266 (PERTH). Distribution. Occurs from Yuna (c. 35 km east of Northampton) northeast to between Cue and Mount Magnet and southeast to Whitewells Station (c. 70 km east of Perenjori), especially frequent in the Mullewa area. Western Australia. Habitat. Grows in red sand, rocky clay or clay-loam and sandy loam on sandplains, granite hills or gravelly rises in shrubland or scrub with mallee-type eucalypts and Acacia species. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers mostly in July to September; fruits with mature seeds in November and December. Discussion. The much wider, differently shaped phyllodes of subsp. latior give it a quite distinctive appearance and readily separates it from subsp. effusa, to which it is most similar. Subspecies latior has silvery phyllodes due to the silvery appressed pubescence on the broader expanse of the blades, as well as shorter heads than those of the pedunculate-head variant of subsp. effusa and the pods of subsp. latior tend to be thicker. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The broad phyllodes of this subspecies suggest the name, from the comparative of latus, Latin for broad. 3. Acacia cuthbertsonii Luehm. (as ‘Cuthbertsoni’), Victorian Naturalist 13: 117 (1897) Syntypes: (1) between the Murchison and Gascoyne Rivers, Western Australia, W. Cuthbertson (n.v.). (2) Murchison district, 1888, W. Cuthbertson (PERTH 00746819-fragment ex B). (3) near Mount Narryer, Western Australia, /. Tyson (n.v.) Bushy, often gnarled, shrubs or trees 1 -4 m tall, spreading to 5 m diam. Bark grey, brown or black, fissured, flaking off in brittle pieces. New growth citron- or grey-sericeous. Branchlets silvery sericeous. Phyllodes flat to compressed or rarely terete, elliptic to narrowly elliptic or linear. 3-1 1 cm long, 1-20 mm wide, coriaceous, subrigid, patent to erect, straight to gently incurved, light-green to grey-green but with a silvery sheen due to the dense, sericeous indumentum; apex acute and commonly mucronate; pulvinus 0.7- 1.5 mm long; nerves rather indistinct but often slightly raised, numerous, distant to sub-distant, sometimes (in subsp. cuthbertsonii) sparingly anastainosing; glands 1 -3, lowest 3-28 mm above pulvinus. Peduncles paired, 2- 1 1 mm long, sericeous; spikes interrupted. 24 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) cylindric, golden, 10-34 mm long, 4-5 mm diam.; bracteoles spathulate to oblanceolate, distinctly stipitate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/5 as long as the petals, united. Pods narrowly oblong to linear, commonly compressed, straight-edged or shallowly constricted between the seeds, 5-14 cm long, 1 1-22 mm wide, woody, mostly shallowly to markedly curved, glabrous, drying yellowish and with strong longitudinal folds on surface. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic to sub-circular, 7.5-9 mm long, 7-8 mm wide, dull, brown, the aril a small, terminal, scalloped pad. Distribution. Widespread in arid areas of Western Australia and Northern Territory. Variation. There is considerable variation in the shape and dimensions of the phyllodes but the pods exhibit even greater variability: narrowly oblong or linear, shallowly to strongly curved (rarely straight), raised over the seeds on both sides to rather flat, shallowly constricted between seeds to straight-edged. This variation appears to be independent of other morphologic, geographic or ecologic factors. Discussion. The nearest relatives of A. cuthbertsonii are A. levata Cowan & Maslin (see 8 below)and A. wanyu Tindale. Subspecies linearis is similar to A. wanyu which differs by its terete phyllodes that are golden sericeous in the new growth, as well as in having moniliform pods. Individuals of subsp. cuthbertsonii with large phyllodes are superficially similar to A. levata (see under that species below for discussion). The shape and relative proportions of the phyllodes is the basis for the admittedly rather arbitrary separation of the two subspecies comprisingA. cuthbertsonii; subsp. cuthbertsonlihas proportionately wider phyllodes than subsp. linearis and they are narrowly elliptic to linear-elliptic. Key to subspecies of Acacia cuthbertsonii 1 . Phyllodes 3-10(20) mm wide, elliptic, narrowly elliptic to linear-elliptic, flat 3a. subsp. cuthbertsonii 1. Phyllodes 1-1.5 mm wide, narrowly linear, flat to compressed or rarely terete 3b. subsp. linearis 3a. Acacia cuthbertsonii Luehm. subsp. cuthbertsonii Illustration. B.R. Maslin in J. Jessop (ed.), FI. Centr. Australia 125, fig. 161H (1981); M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 2; 241 (1988). Phyllodes elliptic to narrowly elliptic or linear-elliptic, 3-8.5 cm long, 3-10(20) mm wide, l:w = 2.5-14, the central nerve of phyllodes the most evident, the other nerves when present longitudinally orientated and sometimes sparingly anastomosing. Scer/r widely elliptic, 7.5 mm long, 7 mm wide. Selected specimens e.xamined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Wiluna Road, 80 km W of Carnegie, U. Johnson A\ (K, NSW, PERTH); Mount James Station, 53 1" of Landor Homestead on track to Mount Augustus Station, B.R. Maslin 5189a (PERTH); 30. j Km N of Gordon Downs Station, R.A. Perry & M. Lazarides 2439 (PERTH). NORTHERN TERRITORY: 77 km N of Aileron, Stuart Highway, J.R. Maconochie 976 (DNA, PERTH); 270 km N Alice Springs, 16 km S Barrow Creek, J.R. Maconochie 2502 (CANB, DNA, PERTH). Distribution. Widespread from inland of Shark Bay and Kalbarri, Western Australia, eastward to south of Tennant Creek in the central part of Northern Territory. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 25 Habitat. Commonly found in stony sand along creeks and drainage lines, often on hillocks but also on plains, mostly with “mulga” and “spinifex”. Discussion. There is considerable variation in phyllode width and shape with very narrow phyllode forms approaching subsp. linearis whose phyllodes are much longer in relation to their width. 3b. Acacia cuthbertsonii subsp. linearis Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. A var. cuthertsonii phyllodiis linearibus et angustioribus planis ad compressis ad raro teretibus, 5-11 cm longis et 1-1.5 mm latis, nervis baud anastamosantibus, seminibus late ellipticis ad subcircularibus, 8-9 mm longis et 7-8 mm latis differt. Typus: Towrana Station, Western Australia, 8 April 1981, A.L. Payne 39 (holo: PERTH 00606162; iso: CANB). Phyllodes narrowly linear, 5-11 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, 33-1 10 times longer than wide, flat to compressed or rarely terete, nerves not anastomosing. Seeds widely elliptic to sub-circular, 8-9 mm long, 7-8 mm wide. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 30 km S of Meekatharra, C.A. Gardner 1 3388 (PERTH); 18 km E of Meekatharra on road to Wiluna, J. \V. Green 5301 (K, PERTH); Mount Vernon, B. Kok 5 (PERTH); Tangadee Station, B. Kok s.n. (PERTH 00605905); Dalgety Downs Station, 139 km E of Gascoyne Junction on road to Meekatharra, B.R. Maslin 5013 (PERTH); Bulloo Downs on Meekatharra Road, 15 June 1976, A.A. Mitchell s.n. (PERTH 00636002); 3.5 km W of Weedarrah Outcamp, Bidgemia Station, D.G. Wilcox 163 (PERTH). Distribution. Occurs inland from the southern end of Shark Bay east to Meekatharra and to Bulloo Downs Station (c. 75 km south of Newman), Western Australia; in a few localities it occurs near populations of the typical subspecies. Habitat. Grows commonly along creek lines in often stony sand and clay on gibber plains and stony rises, sometimes in saline conditions, with members of the “/\. aneura Group”. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers October to December; fruits with mature seeds in September to October. Discussion. The phyllodes which are commonly sericeous are glabrous in one PERTH collection (B. Kok, from Tangadee Station). Etymology. The subspecific epithet refers to the narrowly linear phyllodes, from linearis, Latin for linear. 4. Acacia demissa Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex vel arbor plus minusve torsiva infundibularis expansa 1 .5-4 m alta, corona ad 5 m effusa, ramis et ramulis pendentibus, truncorum cortice griseo fibrosoque sed supra levi. Ramuli glabri, in juventute ad extremitates sed in maturitate rubro-brunnei. Stipulae minutae, caducae. Phyllodia linearia ad lineari-elliptica vel anguste elliptica, acuta ad acuminata et arcuata ad uncinata, 5-18 cm longa et 26 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. I (1995) 1-6 mm lata, recta ad leviter curvata, tenuiter coriacea, laxa, pendula, olivacea, glabra, nervis numerosis arete parallelis, subobscuris, non anastamosantibus, nervo marginali brunneo ad rubro-brunneo vel luteo et initio resinoso. Pedunculi 2 vel 3 in quoque axilla, interdum in axem 2.5-4 mm longi, resinosi et glabri vel raro pilis minutis sparsis dispersis; spicae oblongoideae ad cylindricae, aureae, sub-densae, 8-23 mm longae et c. 5.5 mm diametro, bracteolis spathulatis, ciliolatis. Flores pentameri, resinosi. Sepala longitudine 1/3- 1/2 petal! partes aequantia, ad basem connata, lobis oblongis ciliolatis. Petala c. 1/4-connata, Legumina oblonga ad anguste oblonga, plana et crassa, lignea, 5.5-10 cm longa et 8-17 mm lata, glabra et resinosa, margimbus latisetpallidioribus sedhaud alatis. Semina longitudinalia, lato-elliptica ad sub-circularia, 6.5-9 mm longa et 4.5-7 mm lata, hebetato-brunnea ad nigra, pleurogramma obscura, arillo terminal!. Typus: Cobra Station, 82.5 km N of Landor Homestead on track to Mount Augustus Station, Western Australia, 8 May 1982, B.R. Maslin 5198 (holo: PERTH 00590770; iso: CANB, G, K, NY). Obconic, weeping shrubs or trees 1.5-4 m tall, the crown spreading 5 m. Bark grey, fibrous on trunks but becoming smooth on branches. Branches and branchleis pendulous, slender, terete, obscurely nerved, glabrous, red-brown but yellow at extremities. Stipules minute, caducous. Phyllodes linear to linear-elliptic or narrowly elliptic, 5-18 cm long and 1-6 mm wide but commonly 6.5-15 cm long and 1 .5-4 mm wide, straight to shallowly curved, thinly coriaceous, not rigid, pendulous, often crowded in tufts at ends of branchlets, olive-green, glabrous, slightly shiny; apex acute to acuminate, curved to uncinate; nerves numerous, closely parallel, scarcely evident and not anastamosing; marginal nerve discrete, brown to red-brown or yellow, resinous on young phyllodes but resin often lacking on mature phyllodes; gland small, basal. Peduncles 2 or 3 per axil, occasionally on a very short axis, 2.5-4 mm long, commonly glabrous and resinous but sometimes with scattered minute hairs; spikes oblongoid to cylindric, golden, 8-23 mm long and c. 5.5 mm diam., sub-densely flowered; bracteoles spathulate, ciliolate. F’/ovve/',v5-merous, resinous. Sepals 1/3- 1/2 as long as petals, united only basally, oblong, ciliolate. Petals about 1/4-connate. Pods oblong to narrowly oblong, 5.5-10 cm long, 8-17 mm wide, straight to shallowly curved, thick and woody, flat, not constricted between seeds, commonly glabrous and slightly resinous, dark brown; margins broad (2 mm wide), unwinged, yellowish. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic to nearly circular, 6.5-9 mm long, 4.5-7 mm wide, dull, brown to black, minutely and irregularly pitted except for the areole and the tissue immediately surrounding it; pleurogram obscure, continuous or sometimes with a narrow opening at the hilar end; areole 1 mm long, c. 0.4 mm wide; aril terminal and small. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 65.6 km S of road junction near Woolshed, A.M. Ashby 4160 (PERTH); 5 km W of Savory Bore, Innouendy Station, R.J. Cranfield 5\13 (DNA, PERTH); 3 km NE of Anzac Bore, Koonmarra Station, R.J. Cranfield 593 1 (PERTH); 120 km W of Meekatharra, H. Demarz 3826 (PERTH); floodplain of Murchison River, near Beringarra, C.A. Gardner 14487 (PERTH); Beringarra Station, 22 May 1963, A.J. McComb (PERTH 00888400); 41 km from Byro Homestead on track toMilly Milly Station, B./?. Maslin 5 [11 (BRI, NSW, PERTH); Erong Station, c. 6 km due NE of homestead, B.R. Maslin 5179 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); Landor Station, 14.5 km N of homestead on track to Mount Augustus Station, B.R. Maslin 5184 (PERTH); Cobra Station, 78 km N of Landor Homestead on track to Mount Augustus Station, B.R. Maslin 5194 (PERTH); Gifford Creek Station, 1 3 km by road SE of homestead towards Cobra Station, B.R. Maslin 5208 (AD, DNA, PERTH); Gifford Creek Station, 13 km by road SE of homestead towards Cobra Station, B.R. Maslin 5208A (CANB, K, PERTH); Belele Station, A.4. Mitchell 799 (PERTH); 20 km S of Koonmarra Homestead, A.A. Mitchell 1 172 and 1 174 (MEL, PERTH); 8 km S of Beringarra, N.H. Speck 985 (PERTH); Byro Station, 13 April 1981, J. Stretch (PERTH 00587362); Windmara Paddock, Mount Clere Station, c. 4 km E of Jack’s Well, 30 October 1986, J. Stretch (PERTH R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 27 00801275); Mount Clere Station, 23 June 1970, D.G. M/cox (PERTH 00590800); 8 km SE of Moorarie Homestead, 120 km NW of Meekathaira, P.G. Wilson 8504 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to an area inland from Shark Bay and bounded by Gifford Creek Station (c. 270 km northeast of Carnarvon), Byro Station (c. 270 km southeast of Carnarvon) and Belele Station (c. 50 km northwest of Meekathaira), Western Australia. Habitat. Grows in a variety of habitats: low quartzite or granite hills, red-brown clay or loam on flats with Mulga, on floodplains or in clayey sand along seasonally dry streams. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers primarily from April to June but flowers have been found in November as well; pods with mature seeds collected in August to November. Affinities. The new species is related to A. quadrimarginea F. Muell. which is usually readily distinguished by its non-pendulous branchlets, characteristically spreading phyllodes and prominently winged pods. Acacia quadrimarginea is widespread in south-central W.A. whereas A. demissa is geographically localised; however, the two are occasionally sympatric, e.g. on Cobra Station (B.R. Maslin5\95 -A. quadrimarginea, B.R. Maslin5\9A- A. demissa). Collections from Koonmarra Station have the shortest mature phyllodes known for the species. Some collections from Gifford Creek Station have characters intermediate between A. demissa and A. quadrimarginea: plants with only the peripheral branches and branchlets pendulous occur along with completely pendulous ones and in the same area other plants with the spreading phyllodes characteristic of A. quadrimarginea (e.g., B.R. Maslin 5208 and 5208A, both PERTH; these collections also have slightly puberulous peduncles). Another collection (B.R. Maslin 5022-PERTH, from Mount Gould Station, between Gascoyne Junction and Meekatharra) is from a low stunted shrub with spreading phyllodes like those of A. quadrimarginea but the pods are similar to those of A. demissa : further collection from this area may well clarify the identity of this population. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Common names. Ashburton Willow; Moondyne tree. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the weeping habit of the plant, both branchlets and phyllodes pendulous, from demissus, Latin for hanging down or drooping. 5. Acacia ephedroides Benth., London J. Bot. 1: 370 (1842) Lectotype (here selected): rocky woodland near Halfwayhouse, Darling Range, Western Australia, 13 September 1839, L. Preiss 91 A (K, right-hand specimen on Herb. Benth. sheet; isolecto: C, FI, LUND, M, MEL, NAP, NY, P, PERTH 01013823-fragment ex K and 01013815-fragment ex MEL, RO, TCD). Paralectotype: “Cape Porteray, New Holland”, C. Fraser (K, PERTH 00750522-fragment ex K), this specimen is possibly A. acuminata Benth. subsp. burkittii (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Tindale & Kodela ms. Typification. Bentham cited two collections in the protologue and both are mounted on a single Herb. Bentham sheet at K. The first of these on the left (Fraser from “Cape Porteray”) is referrable to another 28 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) species altogether, possibly A. acuminata Benth. subsp. burkittii (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Tindale & Kodela (ms name); examination of the phyllode fragments at PERTH and of the collection at K leave some doubt as to its identity but it is discordant with the lectotype. The second collection, on the right hand of the type sheet, Preiss 974, we have designated as the lectotype. Discussion. Although Bentham (1864) described the flowers as “mostly 4-merous” in “Flora Australiensis”, we have very rarely seen other than 5-merous ones. 6. Acacia gibbosa Cowan & Maslin ,sp. nov. Frutex vel arbor parva 1-3 m alta, corona rotundata, densa, 1.5-6 mdiametro, cortice atro-cinereo, laevi praeter ad basem plus minusve fissurata et fibrosa. Phyllodia cylindrica, compressa vel plana, anguste linearia, acuta ad acuminata et recurvata ad subuncinata, pulvino 0.7- 1.3 mm longo, laminis 4-9.5 cm longis, 0.8- 1.5(2. 3) mm latis, plerumque erectis, rectis, glabris, 8 distantibus nervis impressis ad raro leviter elevatis, brunneis et resinosis, baud anastamosantibus, glande minuta, obscura, laminarum prope basem. Pedunculi binati, 1 .5-4 mm longi, glabri vel plus minusve appresso-puberuli; pedunculorum bracteae basales crassae, late ovatae, abaxialiter ad basem gibbosae, ciliolatae, raro plus minusve appresso-puberulae; capitula oblongoideae, aureae, 6-8 mm longae, 4-4.5 mm diametro, 22-27-floribus, bracteolis magnis, subpeltatis, lamina late oblata, concava, ciliolata. Flores 5-meri. Sepala longitudine 1/2-2/3 petal! partes aequantia, prope basem connata, anguste oblonga ad spathulato- oblonga, ciliolata. Petala elliptica, discreta, glabra, lobls patentibus. Legumina linearia, supra semina elevata et inter semina leviter constricta, ad 6.5 cm longa, 2-2.5 mm lata, recta, firme chartacea, glabra. Semina longitudinalia, anguste oblongo-ovata, 2.8-3 mm longa, 1.5-2 mm lata, 1-1.5 mm crassitie, nitido-nigra, arillo cristato, inaequilateraliter pileato, terminal!. Typus: 4.5 miles [6.1 km] NW of Southern Cross towards Bullfinch, Western Australia, 12 August 1971, B.R. Maslin 1953 (holo: PERTH 00155152; iso: CANB, G, K, MEL, NY). [A. cyperophyUa auct. non F. Muell: E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahi-b. Syst. 35: 307 (1904), pro parte, as toL. Diels 5844 00750662-fragment ex B).] Shrub or small tree 1-3 m tall with rounded, dense crown 1.5-6 m diam., single-stemmed or branching at or up to 45 cm above ground level into few to many main stems. Bark dark grey, smooth except more or less fissured and fibrous near base of main stems. Branchlets terete, ribbed, glabrous. New shoots pale green, resinous, nerves in young phyllodes brownish. Stipules not seen. Phyllodes terete, compressed or flat, narrowly linear, 4-9.5 cm long, 0.8- 1 .5(2.3) mm wide, l:w = 25-85, .subrigid, commonly erect, straight, glabrous, green to grey-green; apex acute to acuminate and recurved to subuncinate; pulvinus 0.7- 1.3 mm long; nerves 8 in all (3 per face on flat and compressed phyllodes), distant, impressed, rarely slightly raised, brown and resinous, not anastamosing; stomata more or less raised; gland minute, inconspicuous, ± 0.5 mm above base of blade. Peduncles 2 per axil, 1.5-4 mm long, glabrous or sparsely to lightly appressed puberulous with red, minute micro-hairs; basal peduncular bracts persistent to anthesis, thick, broadly ovate, abaxially gibbose at base, glabrous except ciliolate. rarely more or less appressed puberulous; heads oblongoid, golden, 6-8 mm long, 4-4.5 mm diam., 22-27-flowered; bracteoles large, subpeltate, blade broadly oblate, concave, ciliolate, dark- coloured. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2-2/3 as long as petals, connate basally to 1/3 their length, narrowly oblong to spathulate-oblong, ciliolate. Peta/s elliptic, free, glabrous, lobes spreading. Ovary minutely appressed puberulous. Pods linear, raised over and slightly constricted between seeds, to 6.5 cm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, firmly chartaceous, straight, smooth, glabrous, slightly shiny, dark brow'n, margins paler. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, narrowly oblong-ovate, 2.8-3 mm long, 1.5-2 R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 29 mm wide, 1-1.5 mm thick, glossy, black; pleurogram obscure, U-shaped; areole c. 0.5 mm long; funicle somewhat enlarged, in 2 folds over top of inequilateral cap-like, terminal, crested aril with one lobe extending farther along one side of the seed. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 22.1 miles [35.6 km] from Coolgardie towards Norseman, E.M. Canning W A/68 2357 (PERTH); 0.5 miles [0.8 km] W of Yellowdine toward Duladgin Rock, R.J. Cumming 2472 (MELU, NSW, PERTH); Dundas, L. Diels 5844 (PERTH); Kurrawang Mission, c. 1 7 km from Kalgoorlie towards Coolgardie, late September 1985, £./W. Goble- Garratt s.n. (PERTH 006 1 2839); 5 miles [8 km] E of Koorda, J. Goodwin M28 (PERTH); c. 5 miles [8 km] E of Southern Cross on Great Eastern Highway,//./?. Maslin 1833 (CANS, K, MEL, PERTH); 7 km N of Southern Cross towards Bullfinch, B.R. Maslin 2379 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); 4.8 km E of Karalee on Great Eastern Highway, B. R. Maslin 2400 (BRI, NSW, PERTH); about 1 5 km N of Bruce Rock towards Merredin, B.R. Maslin 3417 (AD, CANB, K, MEL, P, PERTH); 46 km by road S of Queen Victoria Rock, B.R. Maslin 5413 (BM, BRI, MO); 10 km SW of Coolgardie, K. Newhey 5667 (CANB, PERTH); 1.6 km EofMarvel Loch turn-offon Great Eastern Highway, M.//. Simmons 1207 (PERTH); 9.5 miles [15.3 km] E of Bruce Rock on main road from Merredin, M.D. Tindale 3733 (CANB, K, L, NSW, PERTH, US). Distribution. Occurs from Koorda and Kellerberrin east to the Coolgardie area and Dundas (c. 20 km south of Norseman), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows mostly in loam, both in low lying areas and on rises. Locally common in eucalypt woodland, scrub and shrubland, often associated with other Acacia spp., Melaleuca spp. and Sheoak. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August and September; pods with mature seeds collected in December and February. Affinities. Flat-phyllode individuals of the new species with three well-separated nerves on each face remind one in a general way of A. websteri. Acacia web.steri, however, is readily distinguished by its consistently flat, broader phyllodes (2-3.5 mm wide) with raised nerves of ± the same green colour as the inter-nerve tissue (nerves not obviously brown as in A. gibbosa), its peduncles are commonly longer (2-6 mm long) and are sometimes borne on a short common axis, and its bracteoles are smaller and spathulatc (stipe long, blade rounded). Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The specific name refers to the basal peduncular bracts which have a basal gibbosity on the abaxial side, from gibbosus, Latin for hunch-backed. 7. The “Acacia heteroneura Group” This is a highly diverse group whose complete resolution must be reserved for the future; herein we have delimited those elements which appear to be biological realities but questions such as their appropriate taxonomic rank can be answered adequately only by more detailed studies (see under A. heteroneura for further discussion). The “Group” is characterized by: (1) branchlet tips with prominent, resinous ribs and which are sericeous between the ribs; (2) phyllodes that are generally rhombic in cross-section but the form varies to almost terete, compressed-rhombic and flat, each of the four angles of the rhombus in rhombic forms typically with a broader, more prominently raised 30 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) nerve and one to five narrower equally raised or subobscure secondary nerves on the faces; (3) heads globular, pedunculate and borne singly or in pairs (except A. cylindrica and A. pedunculata which have ± sessile spikes and heads respectively); (4) flowers pentamerous with the sepals 1/4-1/2 as long as the petals, the sepals connate 1/3-3/4 or more, and the petals connate 1/2-2/3 their length; (5) pods linear and scarcely raised over the seeds and if constricted at all, only slightly .so, the pods margins usually very broad (in some as broad or even broader than the lateral faces so that the pod is roughly quadrangular in cross-section); and (6) seeds arranged longitudinally in the pods, the seeds with an elongate-conic, terminal aril and in all but one species mottled (normally obscurely so). Species of the “A. heteroneura Group” appear to be most closely related to A. microneum, A. resinomarginea, A. jamesiana and related taxa, which have similar phyllodes with many fine, secondary nerves between the main ones but different flowers. The taxa comprising the “Group” are often separated by seemingly small differences. In the following key it is important to use characteristics of mature phyllodes, for juvenile and mature phyllodes often vary (on the same branchlet) in their transverse sectional shape and their number of nerves. Key to taxa of Acacia heteroneura Group 1. Mature phyllodes terete, semi-terete or slightly rhombic in section 2. Flowers in cylindric, ± sessile spikes; pods flat; seeds not mottled 7.1. A. cylindrica 2. Flowers in globular to oblongoid or widely ellipsoid, pedunculate heads; pods terete to quadrangular; seeds ± obscurely mottled 3. Phyllodes 3-6 cm long, 16-nerved 7.4c. A. heteroneura var. petila 3. Phyllodes commonly 7-13 cm long 4. Phyllodes clearly compressed, 1 6-nerved 7.4d. A. heteroneura var. prolixa 4. Phyllodes terete or almost so 5. Phyllodes with 8 nerves of equal width 7.2a. A. desertorum var. desertorum 5. Phyllodes with 16 nerves of unequal width 7.2b. A. desertorum var. nudipes 1 . Phyllodes flat to distinctly angular-rhombic 2. Heads sessile; phyllodes compressed-rhombic to flat, c. 4 cm X 1 .3-1.6 mm, with 1 nerve between midrib and marginal nerve 7,3. A. epedunculata 2. Heads pedunculate (peduncles 2-8 mm long); phyllodes with >1 nerve between midrib and marginal nerve 3. Phyllodes flat, commonly 5-7 cm x 2-4 mm 7.4a. A. heteroneura var. heteroneura 3. Phyllodes angular-rhombic 4. Phyllodes 3-6 cm x 0.7-1 mm, somewhat pungent 7.4c. A. heteroneura var. petila 4. Phyllodes some or all longer and/or wider 5. Phyllodes 7-13 cm x 1-1.5 mm; heads widely ellipsoid to oblongoid 7.4d. A. heteroneura var. prolixa 5 Phyllodes 4-7 cm x 1-1.7 mm or, if longer, then heads globular 7.4b. A. heteroneura var. jutsonii R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 31 7.1. Acacia cylindrica Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 1.5-3 m altus, ad 2.5 m diametro effusus, ramulis apicaliter resinoso-costatis, inter costas sericeus. Phyllodia teretia vel quadrangulari-teretia, acicularia, grosse pungentia, 8- 1 3 cm longa, 1-1.2 mm diametro. plus minusve rigida, erecta, inter nervos in sulcis appresso-puberula, 16-nervata nervis arete parallelis, glande laminarumjuxta basem. Pedunculi 1 vel 2 in quoque axilla, 0.5-1.5 mm longi, sericei, pedunculorum braceis persistentibiis lanceolatis ciliolatis; spicae cylindricae, aureae, 10-11 mm longae, 5 mm diametro, bracteolis spathulatis, puberulis, ciliolatis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala longitudine 1/2 petal! partes aequantia, 1/2-3/4-connata, puberula. Petala 1/2-connata, glabra. Legumina linearia, plana, supra semina leviter elevata et inter semina constricta, ad 6.5 cm longa, 2-2.5 mm lata, patentia, chartacea, recta, sparse et minute appresso-puberula. Semina longitudinalia, oblongo-elliptica, 3.5-4 mm longa, 1 .5 mm lata, 0.8 mm crassitie, nitida, pallido-brunnea, non maculata, arillo longitudine ad 1/2 seminum aequantia. Typus: 23 km NE of Bungalbin Hill, c. 68 km NNE of Koolyanobbing, Western Australia, 8 September 1984, K. Newbey 10826 (^holo: PERTH 00652539; iso: CANS). Spreading shrub 1 .5-3 m tall, to 2.5 m diam. Bark grey and ± roughened at base of trunks, smooth and reddish on branchlets. Branchlets sericeous between the glabrous, resinous ribs. Phyllodes terete or quadrangular-terete, acicular, 8-13 cm long, 1-1 .2 mm diam., rather rigid, erect, straight, light- to dark-green, glabrous except minutely sericeous in the shallow longitudinal grooves between the nerves; apex normally straight, coarsely pungent; nerves 16 although sometimes only 8 readily visible, the nerves closely parallel, slightly raised, sub-equally prominent, the broadest ones (c. 0.2 mm wide) on the four slight angles (and in the equivalent positions on terete phyllodes); gland indistinct, near base of blade. Peduncles 1 or 2 per axil, 0.5- 1.5 mm long, sericeous; basal peduncular bracts persistent to anthesis, lanceolate, ciliolate; spikes cylindric, golden. 10-11 mm long, 5 mm diam., densely flowered; bracteoles spathulate, blade ± rhombic, acute, puberuloLis, ciliolate. Flowers 5-memus. Sepals 1/2 petal-length, 1/2-3/4-united, puberulous, lobes acute. Petals 1/2-united, glabrous, lobes acute and erect. Ovary sericeous. Pods linear, flat, slightly raised over and slightly constricted between .seeds, to 6.5 cm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, patent, chartaceous, straight, light brown, sparsely and minutely appressed- puberulous, the narrow, paler margins with or without appressed, red, resin-hairs. Seeds /ongitudinally arranged in pods, oblong-elliptic, 3.5-4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 0.8 mm thick, ± shiny, pale brown with a darker peripheral nerve, not mottled; pleurogram U-shaped with the opening at hilar end; areole minute, c. 0.2 mm long; funicle/aril a series of loose loops, the aril to 1/2 as long as seed. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 6.9 miles [11.1 km] N of Southern Cross towards Bullfinch, R. Cumming 2386 (PERTH); 10.5 km N of Southern Cross towards Bullfinch. B.R. Maslin 2383 (PERTH) and 2384 (CANB, K. MEL, NSW, PERTH); 1 1 km S of Mount Correll, c. 45 km NNW of Bullfinch, K. Newbey 9591 (PERTH); 4 miles [6.4 km] E of Kulja on main road, 17 December 1971. B.H. Smith s.n. (PERTH 00657352). Distribution. Most collections have been made between Southern Cross and Bullfinch (c. 35 km northwest of Southern Cross) but also found northwest as far as Kulja (c. 45 km north-northwest of Koorda), north to Mount Correll (c. 50 km north of Bullfinch) and Bungalbin Hill (c. 50 km north of Koolyanobbing), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. In deep yellow sand or gravelly, well-drained sand on flat to gently undulating plains or on the sides of low hills. Locally frequent in Acacia coolgardiensis scrub and Eucalyptus leptopodamnWtt open shrubland. 32 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. I (1995) Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected in September and early October; pods with mature seeds in mid-December. Affinities. The new species appears to be most closely related to/t. desertoriim Maiden which is most readily distinguished by its globular to oblongoid, sub-densely flowered heads, longer peduncles, narrower, ± quadrangular pods and mottled seed. Of the two varieties of A. desertoriim only var. nudipes has 16-nerved phyllodes (the typical variety has 8-nerved phyllodes). There is a superficial resemblance to A. sibina Maslin which is distinguished by its indistinctly ribbed branchlets that are glabrous except for being tomentulose in the phyllode axils, its perfectly terete, sharply pungent phyllodes with more numerous, much narrower nerves and a sub-smooth, basally flared pulvinus, its wider (6 mm) pods which are clearly constricted between the seeds. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The name is given in allusion to the cylindric spikes which distinguishes the species from other members of its group, from cylindricus, Latin for cylindrical. 7.2. Acacia desertorum Maiden & Blakely, J. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 13: 24, pi. 17, figs 1-7 (1928) Typus: Victoria Desert, Elder Exploring Expedition, Camp 54 [lat. 29°S, long. 125°E], Western Australia, 17 September 1891, R. Helms 14 (holo: NSW; iso: K, MEL, PERTH 01 160494, 00748382 and 00748404-fragments ex ?K). Illustrations. J.H. Maiden & W.F. Blakely, loc. cit.; B.R. Maslin, FI. Centr. Australia, 1 19 (1981). Dense or open shrubs 0.6-2 m tall, rarely trees to 4 m. Bark grey and ± fissured at stem base, smooth and grading to reddish brown on branches. Branchlets yellow at extremities, sericeous between the glabrous, resinous ribs. F/iy/toJcj terete to rhombic-terete, (5)7- 13(1 5) cm long, 1-1.5 mmdiam., rigid, ascending, straight to shallowly incurved, grey-green, glabrous or appressed hairy in grooves between nerves; apex acute to short-acuminate, shallowly curved, coarsely pungent; pulvinus 1 .5-2.5 mm long; nerves 8 or 16, the nerves closely parallel, slightly raised (separated by shallow but discernible, often dark-coloured grooves), flat-topped or slightly rounded, ± equal or clearly unequal in width (the broadest ones to 0.3 mm wide and located on the slight angles of rhombic phyllodes), often ± resinous and slightly shiny; gland inconspicuous, near base of blade. Peduncles 1 or 2 per axil, 3-8 mm long, slender to stout (0.4-0.8 mm diam.), smooth or longitudinally ribbed w'hen dry, resinous or not, glabrous or ± sparsely sericeous and sometimes with red, resin-hairs intermixed; basal peduncular bracts caducous, ovate, resinous; heads globular to widely ellipsoid or oblongoid, bright golden, 7-9 mm long, 6-8 mm diam., sub-densely flowered; bracteoles spathulate, resinous. FtoH'e/i-5-merous. Sepals 1/4- 1/2 length of petals, 0.5- 1 . 1 mm long, 3/4-united, somewhat puberulous. Petals 2/3-united, smooth, glabrous, obscurely 1 -nerved to nerveless. Dva/y villose or appressed puberulous. Por/x linear, ± quadrangular in section with wide margins, neither raised over nor constricted between seeds, to 8.5 cm long, 1 .5-2 mm wide, thinly coriaceous, straight to slightly curved, minutely sericeous on the dark brown faces, margins glabrous and paler coloured. Seeds (few seen) longitudinally arranged in pods, linear, 4-4.5 mm long, 0.8- 1.2 mm wide, shiny, light brown, obscurely mottled darker brown; pleurogram obscure, U-shaped, open at hilar end; areole minute, 0.4-0. 5 mm long; funicle/aril white, compressed-conic and ± equalling seed-length. R.S, Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 33 Distribution. Disjunct, occurring in the Southern Cross and Coolgardie areas and in the Great Victoria Desert, Western Australia. Infraspecific taxa. Two allopatric varieties are here recognized in A. desertorunr, however, future studies may indicate the need to treat these as separate species and/or to recognize more entities within this broadly circumscribed species (see discussion under var. desertorum). The typical variety which occurs around Coolgardie and in the Great Victoria De.sert is recognized by its ± uniformly 8-nerved phyllodes; var. nudipes occurs further west, around Southern Cross, and has 16-nervedphyllodes with the nerves of unequal width. However, care must be exercised when interpreting this character because on some specimens of var. nudipes the young phyllodes at branchlet apices are 8-nerved, the 1 6-nerved condition only becoming evident on mature phyllodes. Affinities. The chief difference separating A. desertorum from A. heteroneura is the form of the phyllodes, ± terete in A. desertorum and angular-rhombic to flat in A. heteroneura, with the exception of var. petila which has (small) commonly ± terete to rhombic-terete phyllodes. Acacia desertorum also appears closely related to A. cylindrica (see above). 7.2a. Acacia desertorum Maiden & Blakely var. desertorum Phyllodes 8-nerved, nerves ± equal width, ± appressed hairy in the shallow, discrete grooves between the nerves. Peduncles commonly 2 per axil, sub-stout or rather slender (0.4-0.6 mm diam.), smooth or longitudinally ribbed, resinous or not, sparsely to sub-densely sericeous and with or without varying intermixture of red, resin-hairs. Sepals c. 0.5-0. 8 mm long, 1/4-2/5 length of petals. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Doney Lagoon, Adalong Station, R.J. Cranfield 7584 (MEL - distributed as A. jutsonii, PERTH); 19 km W of Coolgardie on Great Eastern Highway, B.R. Maslin 4822 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); 1 7 km N of Queen Victoria Rock on the road to Coolgardie, B.R. Maslin 4829 (NSW, PERTH); Great Victoria Desert, c. 60 km NW of Plumridge Lakes, B.R. Maslin 57 1 7 (MO, NSW, PERTH ); Great Victoria Desert, c. 2 km SW of Mount Luck on track to Laverton,fi./?. Maslin 5732 (PERTH); 35.5 miles [57 km] SW of Kalgoorlieon Great Eastern Highway, M.D. Tindale 27 & E.M. Bennett (PERTH). Distribution. Discontinuous, occurring near Coolgardie, Adalong Station (c. 150 km north of Coolgardie) and in the Great Victoria Desert from Mount Luck west to Plumridge Lakes, Western Australia. Habitat. Populations around Coolgardie grow in yellow sand and red sandy loam in mallee and may form dense roadside communities; eastern populations grow in red sand in open mallee over Triodia sp. (“Spinifex”). Variation. There are appears to be two entities included within var. desertorum as defined here on the basis of its 8-nerved phyllodes. Specimens from the Great Victoria Desert (including the type) have peduncles similar to those of var. nudipes (see below) in being sub-stout (0.5-0. 6 mm diam), not resinous, sparsely to sub-densely sericeous without resin hairs and slightly to obviously longitudinally ribbed when dry. In comparison the peduncles on specimens from around Coolgardie are rather slender (0.4-0.5 mm diam.), resinous, smooth or very obscurely longitudinally ribbed and sparsely sericeous with varying intermixture of red, resin-hairs; these specimens also have the shortest sepals (i.e. 0.5 mm long and I/4-I/3 the length of the petals) and the more slender phyllodes. It is probable that future studies will determine that the Coolgardie populations should be afforded formal rank. 34 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Discussion. Some specimens from the Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve (southwest extremity of the Great Victoria Desert) appear as though they may combine characters of A. desertorum var. desertorum and A. heteroneuru war. jutsonii (see discussion under war. jutsonii below). Conservation status. Probably poorly collected rather than rare or endangered. 7.2b. Acacia desertorum var. nudipes Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. A var. desertorum phyllodiis inaequaliter 16-nervatis, pedunculis plerumque solitariis, glabris, 0. 5-0.8 mm diametro, in sicco longitudinaliter porcatis sed non resinosis, sepalis longitudine circa 1/2 petal! partes aequantiis differt. Typus: W of Yellowdine towards Southern Cross [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons], Western Australia, 18 September 1982, R.J. Gumming 2470 (holo: PERTH 00657824; iso: MELU). Distributed as A. desertorum Maiden. Phyllodes 16-nerved but often only 8 nerves visible when young, the nerves of unequal width, glabrous or appressed hairy between nerves. Peduncles normally solitary, rather stout (0. 5-0.8 mm diam.), longitudinally ribbed when dry, not resinous, glabrous or subglabrous (no resin hairs). Sepals 1-1.1 mm long, c. 1/2 length of petals. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: between Southern Cross and Boorabbin [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons], J.S. Beard 6238 (PERTH), B.R. Maslin 2388 (PERTH), A. Newbey 6022 (PERTH), M.H. Simmons 1203 (PERTH) andE.G. Smith 1509 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to the area between Southern Cross and Boorabbin (c. 90 km east of Southern Cross), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Yellow sandplain and occasionally lateritic gravel in heath and tall open shrubland. Discussion. The 16-nerved phyllodes of var. nudipes serve to distinguish it from the more easterly distributed typical variety. Euture studies may show that var. nudipes is more appropriately treated as a distinct species. Consen’ation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rar e and Priority Elora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The most obvious difference separating var. nudipes is the glabrous condition of its peduncles which gives it its name, from two Latin words, nudus, for bare or nude, and pes, for feet. 7.3. Acacia epedunculata Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 0.5-0.65 m altus, 0.7-0. 9 m effusus, ramulis apicaliter resinoso-costatis, inter costas versus apicem sericeis. Phyllodia linearia, compresso-rhomboidea ad plana, acuta et grosso-pungentia, 4-4.5 cm longa, 1.3-1. 6 mm lata, ratione horum 25-35, valde patentia sed in sicco ascendentia, leviter incurvata ad fere recta, inter nervos sericea, cano-viridia, nervis 8. Capitula sessilia, solitaria, globularia, atro-aurea, circa 4.5 mm diametro, bracteolis spathulatis, villosis, ciliatis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala longitudine 1/2 petal! partes aequantia, 2/3-connata, villosa. Petala 1/2-connata, valde uninervata. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 35 glabra. Legumina linearia, inter semina leviter constricta, ad 6.5 cm longa, 2 mm lata, tenui-crustacea, minute argenteo-sericea, marginibus pallidioribus glabris exceptis. Semina longitudinalia, angusto- elliptica, 3.2-3.5 mm longa, 1 .5 mm lata, 1 mm crassitie, nitida, pallido-brunnea et atratioribus brunnea maculata; pleurogramma V-formata, arillo terminal!, conico, elongate. Typus: near Bulla Bulling [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons], Western Australia, 8 August 1971, S./?. Maslin 1893 (holo: PERTH 00152773; iso: CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY). Low-spreading but becoming rounded, moderately dense, multistemmed shrub 0.5-0.65 m tall, spreading 0.7-0. 9 m. Branchlets apically resin-ribbed, sericeous between the glabrous ribs. Stipules not seen. Phyllodes linear, compressed-rhombic to flat, 4-4.5 cm long, 1.3- 1.6 mm wide, l:w= 25- 35, quite spreading (± ascending when dry), shallowly incurved to almost straight, minutely sericeous in grooves between nerves, grey-green to silvery light green; apex acute, coarsely pungent; pulvinus 1-2 mm long, indistinct; 8-nerved in all, with 3 unequally wide nerves per face, the midnerve the widest (0.4 mm) and the most strongly raised with a weaker nerve on either side of it, marginal nerves broad; gland Inconspicuous, c. 1 mm above pulvinus. Heads sessile, solitary, globular, dark golden, c. 4.5 mm diam., about 20-flowered; bracteoles spathulate, villose, ciliate, the lamina triangular-ovate, acute. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals Ml as long as petals, 2/3-united, villose. Petals 1/2-united, glabrous, strongly uninerved. Ovaty sparsely puberulous. Pods linear, not raised over seeds, ± shallowly constricted between the somewhat widely spaced seeds, to 6.5 cm long, 2 mm wide, thin-crustaceous, minutely silvery sericeous on the dark brown faces, the broad, paler margins glabrous. Seeds longitudinally an-anged in pods, narrowly elliptic, 3. 2-3. 5 mm long, 1 .5 mm wide, 1 mm thick, glossy, light-brown mottled darker brown; pleurogram V-shaped; areole minute; aril terminal, conic, as long as or longer than seed. Other specimen examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: near Bulla Bulling [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons], K. Newbey 8705 (PERTH). Distribution. Very geographically restricted to near Bulla Bulling (c. 30 km west of Coolgardie), Western Australia. Habitat. On moderately exposed, gently undulating plains in deep, yellow, well-drained sand in Eucalyptus leptopoda Very Open Shrub Mallee. Affinities. The new species is distinguished from all other members of the “4. heteroneura Group” by its sessile, globular heads and, with the exception of A. desertorum var. desertorum, its 8-nerved phyllodes. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the sessile heads of the taxon, from two Latin words, e- for lacking and pedunculatus, for pedunculate. 7.4. Acacia heteroneura Benth., Linnaea 26: 624 (1855) Typus; southwest Western Australia, 1849, J. Drummond 2: 138 (holo: K; iso: MEL, PERTH 01 160516-fragment ex K). 36 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No, 1 (1995) Shrubs normally 1 -2.5 m tall, several-branched at or near base. Bark grey, smooth except somewhat fissured at base of main stems. Branchlets at first resinous-ribbed, later terete, white-sericeous between ribs. New growth often resinous. Stipules minute, caducous. Phyllodes linear, tapered to apex and to base, rhombic to compressed-rhombic or flat, sometimes {vav.petila) ± terete, 3- 1 3 cm long, 0.7-3. 5 mm wide, rigid, ascending to erect, straight to shallowly incurved, sericeous when young but hairs often restricted to between nerves or sometimes absent with age (youngest phyllodes also invested with often few and obscure, appressed, red or light brown, ultimately caducous, resin hairs), (silvery-) green to grey-green, sometimes glaucous; apex acute, straight or curved, innocuous or coarsely pungent, occasionally sharply pungent (var. petila); nerves often resinous, those on the angles (of rhombic phyllodes) or the midrib and margins (of flat phyllodes) prominent and clearly wider (0.2-0. 3 mm) than the intervening secondary nerves which are often obscured by pubescence at first; gland at or near base of phyllode-blade, inconspicuous. Peduncles I or 2 in each axil, 2-8 mm long, sparsely to densely sericeous with scattered, red or light brown resin-hairs variously intermixed, infrequently glabrous; basal peduncular bracts widely elliptic to ovate, minute, caducous; heads globular to widely ellipsoid oroblongoid, bright golden, 5-9 mm long, 5-8 mm diam., sub-densely flowered, often sparse on plants; bracteoles spathulate, more or less appressed-puberulous, lamina about rhombiform, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/4- 1/3 as long as petals, at least 3/4-united in somewhat puberulous cup. Petals 1/2-2/3-united, glabrous. Ovary appressed-puberulous or villose. Pods linear, quadrangular- terete in section, straight-edged or very shallowly constricted between seeds, not raised over seeds, to 10.5 cm long, 1.5-2. 5 mm wide, normally ± erect, probably spreading to pendulous in var. prolixa, crustaceous or occasionally almost woody crustaceous, straight, acute at both ends, the faces minutely sericeous, the margins glabrous or occasionally papillate and nanow or ± equalling the valve width. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptic, 3-5.5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, I mm thick, subnitid, variously obscurely mottled; areole minute (0.2-0. 3 mm long), U- or V- shaped; aril terminal, white, 1/3 to as long as seed. Distribution. Widespread but scattered from Wubin (c. 20 km north of Dalwallinu) northeast to Wiluna and southeast to Lake King (c. 115 km east of Lake Grace) and Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve area (c. 200 km east-northeast of Kalgoorlie), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Sandy soils in a variety of vegetation types. Infraspecific taxa. The morphological differences between the four varieties recognized here for A. heteroneiira are found principally in their phyllode morphology. It could be argued that the recognition of infraspecific taxa is unwise at present, given our current state of knowledge of this very variable .species. However, because the varieties have geographic integrity and can be keyed-out with reasonable confidence (see key above), it is considered best to treat them as formal entities to enable our taxonomic hypotheses to be tested and to facilitate the examination of the relationships of this species to other members of the “A. heteroneiira Group”. Affinities. In the past there has been considerable confusion between A. heteroneiira and A. desertorum. Our current treatment of these two species has not entirely resolved the problems, but it does provide a better taxonomic framework for future studies. The two species can normally be separated by the transverse sectional shape of their phyllodes: terete to slightly rhombic in A. desertorum and flat to angular-rhombic in A. heteroneiira (except A. heteroneiira vnr. petila). In A. /leferoneara the phyllodes have four, broad, prominent main nerves (located on each angle when rhombic, or replaced by the midnerve and marginal nerves when Hat) with the intervening nerves much narrower. Acacia desertorum on the other hand has eight broad nerves (of equal or unequal width) with intervening, narrower nerves developing in only var. midipes. Future studies aimed at re-assessing these two species R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 37 will need to address the following main issues: ( 1 ) the taxonomic rank and position of A. heteroneura var. petila and A. desertorum var. nudipes, and (2) elucidation of the patterns of variation within A. desertorum. A detailed study of phyllode anatomy may well assist substantially in these studies. 7.4a. Acacia heteroneura Benth. var. heteroneura Phyllodes flat to compressed-rhombic, 5-7( 1 1 ) cm long, ( 1 .5)2-4 wide, sericeous between the 3-7 nerves located on either side of the prominent midrib, the hairs sparse or sometimes absent with age. Peduncles 4-6 mm long, sparsely to densely sericeous with few reddish resin hairs intermixed; heads globular. Pods (few seen) to 5.5 cm long, 2 mm wide, the margins glabrous and narrow (c. 1/3 valve width). Seeds (few seen) narrowly oblong, 3-3.5 mm long, 1-1.3 mm wide, mottled yellowish brown and darker brown, aril c. 1/3 seed length. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Tammin, C.A. Gardner 1 140 (PERTH); 4 miles [6.4 km] Eof Anketell,y.W. Green 1644 (PERTH); c. 18 miles [29 km] due NW of Bruce Rock, B. R. Maslin 1794 (AD, CANB, K, PERTH); 10.5 km N of Bungalla towards Wyalkatchem,i?.R. Maslin 3395 (MEL, NY, PERTH); 13.5 km N of Tammin towards Korrelocking, B.R. Maslin 4424 (CANB, K, PERTH); 6.4 miles [10.5 km] N of Bungalla turn-off on Great Eastern Highway, M.D. Tindale 3714 (PERTH); Westonia, E.H. Wilson & D.A. Herbert 103 (PERTH). Distribution. Mainly confined to the central wheatbelt from Tammin southeast to Bruce Rock and east to Westonia (c. 45 km east-northeast of Merredin), southwest Western Australia. There is a single collection from near Anketell (c. 350 km north of Westonia). Habitat. In yellow sand and sandy loam in mixed scrub and thicket (the Anketell collection in red sand) growing with Hakea multilineata and Eucalyptus leptopoda. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering mainly from August to January (flowers have also been collected in April and May); mature fruits have been collected in August. Affinities. Somewhat arbitrarily separated from var. jutsonii which has narrower, clearly rhombic phyllodes. Vanety jutsonii occurs within the geographic range of var. heteroneura but it is not known if the two are ever sympatric. Seemingly also related to A. ampliata (see above). Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 7.4b. Acacia heteroneura var. jutsonii (Maiden) Cowan & Maslin, comb, et stat. nov. A. Jutsonii Maiden (as ‘jutsoni’), J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 5 1 : 262 (1917). Lectotype (here selected): Comet Vale, Western Australia, December 1916,7.7. Jutson 49 (NSW; isolecto: NSW, PERTH 0076 1591 -fragment ex NSW). Paralectotype: Comet Vale, Western Australia, 77. JiiLson 160 (NSW). Dense shrubs 0.5-3 m tall, spreading to 3 m. Phyllodes angular-rhombic in section, mostly 4-7 cm long, infrequently to 10 cm, 1-1.7 mm wide, sericeous generally or only between nerves, oldest phyllodes sometimes glabrous, nerve at apex of each angle prominent and clearly wider than the 3 intervening secondary nerves. Peduncles 3-6 mm long, sericeous with red resin-hairs variously intermixed; heads globular to widely ellipsoid, 5-8 mm long, 5-7 mm diam. Pods to 8.5 cm long. 38 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) 2-2.5 mm wide, the glabrous margins narrower than valve width. Seeds narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptic, 3. 5-4.5 mm long, 1 .5-2 mm wide, grey-brown or yellow-brown with darker brown mottlings, the aril 1/3 to equalling seed length. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 9 miles [14.5 km] E of Lake King, 24 May 1955, A./?. Main s.n. (PERTH 00654620); 4.8 km from Hines Hill towards Nungarin.B.R. MasUn 2341 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, HO, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); 8 km W of Bodallin on Cireat Eastern Highway, B.R. Maslin 2378 (AD. CANB, K, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH); 37 km N of Mukinbudin towards Wialki, B.R. Maslin 3973 (B, NSW, PERTH); 20 km S of Beacon towards Bencubbin, B.R. Maslin 4141 (CANB, MEL, PERTH); 6 km W of Lake Cronin, c. 77 km E of Hyden, K. Newbey 6625 (PERTH): 8 km SE of Argus Corner, Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve, D.J. Pearson 121 (PERTH): Frank Hann National Park, R.D. Royce 10210 (PERTH); 30 km NE of Bandya Homestead, c. 120 km N of Laverton, P.G. Wilson 7352 (BRI, PERTH). Distribution. Widespread but disjunct, occumng from Kalannie (c. 45 km east of Dalwallinu) southeast to Frank Hann National Park (located 30-110 km east-northeast of Lake King) and further inland at Comet Vale (c. 100 km north-northwest of Kalgoorlie), Bandya Station (c. 120 km north of Laverton) and Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve area, Western Australia. A 1940 collection by C.A. Gardner (PERTH 00655228), said to have come from the Hill River (c. 200 km west of Kalannie), is probably erroneously labelled. Habitat. Populations in the western part of the range are found in yellow sand and gravelly sand, sometimes on laterite rises, in thickets, heath, open shrubland and woodland; eastern populations grow in red and yellow sand on plains and low dunes in open mallee over spinifex (Triodia sp.). Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering throughout the year, especially from June to January; collections of mature fruits have been made in May and June and also in December and January. Typification. In the protologue, the authors name two collections by the same collector at the same locality. These collections represent the same taxon but to fix application of the name and bring about as much stability as possible in this difficult species-group, one of the sheets at NSW is chosen as lectotype. Discussion. A number of collections from Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve appear as though they may combine characters of A. heteroneura var. jutsonii and A. desertorum var. desertorum. However, further studies of these populations are needed in order to ascertain their taxonomic status. Although var. Jutsonii is recorded for the Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve, var. desertorum is not (but it is scattered in the Great Victoria Desert further to the northeast). Representative collections include G.J. Keighery and J. Alford 616 (PERTH), D. Pearson 69 & 519 (both PERTH), R.D. Royce 5502 (PERTH), A.S. Weston 14880 (PERTH, Z). Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 7.4c. Acacia heteroneura var. petila Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. Ab Acacia desertorum var. nudipes et A. heteroneura var. Jutsonii phyllodiis brevioribusque angustioribus, capitulis globularibus minoribusque et a var. nudipes pedunculis dense sericeis differt. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 39 Typus: 5 km SW of Kulja towards Burakin, Western Australia, 9 January 1979, B.R. Maslin 4442 (holo: PERTH 00656216; iso: CANB, G, K, MEL, NY), Phyllodes ± terete to rhombic-terete or sometimes angular-rhombic in section, 3-6 cm long, 0.7-1 mm diam., somewhat pungent, sericeous between the nerves or glabrous, the young phyllodes invested with minute, red resin-hairs (especially on the main nerves), nerve at apex of each (often slight) angle slightly or obviously wider than the 3 intervening nerves. Peduncles 2-6 mm long, densely sericeous with varying proportions of red resin-hairs; heads globular, golden, 5-6 mm diam. Pods to 8 cm long, 1 .5-2 mm wide, 2-2.5 mm thick, the glabrous margins c. as broad as valve width. Seeds narrowly oblong to oblong-elliptic, 3.5-4 mm long, 1 .5-2 mm wide, yellowish brown with ± sparse darker brown mottlings, aril 1/3- 1/2 seed length. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: between Maya and Latham, T.E.H. Aplin 427 (PERTH); 6 miles [9.7 km] S of Wubin, T.E.H. Aplin 563 (PERTH-variant); between Pithara and Miling, W.E. Blackall 2889 (PERTH); 8.5 km from Wubin towards Wongan Hills, E.M. Canning WA/68 2920 (PERTH-variant); c. 13 km E of Wyalkatchem towards Trayning, F. Lidlfitz L3058 (PERTH); about 1 0 km W of Cadoux on the road to Bencubbin, B.R. Maslin 550 1 (B, MO, PERTH); Morawa, K.W. McLean s.n. (PERTH 00887285); between Wubin and Dalwallinu, N. Percy 322 (PERTH-variant); Konelocking Nature Reserve, P. Roberts 278 (NSW, PERTH); Lackman Dam, 31° 6'S 117° 29'E, B.H. Smith 2\5 (PERTH); just W of Ballidu, D.J.E. Whibley 4776 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to the area from Miling (c. 30 km southwest of Dalwallinu) southeast to Trayning (c. 60 km northwest of Merredin) with a variant from Morawa and near Wubin, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. In yellow sand and gravelly sand in mixed thicket and scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering from May to January; mature fruits with seeds collected in December and January. Discussion. The position of this taxon within the “Acacia heteroneura Group” needs further study because the transverse sectional shape and nervature of the phyllodes appear to combine characters of both A. heteroneura and A. desertonim. However, because its distinguishing characters (i.e. short, not flat, somewhat pungent phyllodes) do not seem significant enough to warrant species status it has been decided to include it pro tern, within A. heteroneura. Geographically var. petila occurs at the northwest extremity of the range of A. heteroneura \ar. jutsonii and at the western extremity of the range of A. desertorum. Variants. Plants from Morawa and the Wubin area have slightly coarser phyllodes than those elsewhere (to 1 .2 mm diam.). Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The slender phyllodes of this variety are its most conspicuous feature and is the basis for the epithet, from petilus, Latin for slender. 40 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) 7.4d. Acacia heteroneura var. prolixa Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. A war. jutsonii phyllodiis longioribus, pedunculis solitariis, leguminibus lignoso-crustaceis et a var. heteroneura phyllodiis angustioribus, pedunculis longioribus, leguminum marginibus latioribus differt. Typus: 17 km dueNE of Wiluna, 8.5 km N of “Gunbarrel Highway" on road to Jundee Station, Western Australia, 4 September 1984, B.R. Maslin 5591 (holo: PERTH 00656224; iso: BRI, CANS, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY). Phyllodes angular-rhombic in section but sometimes compressed, 7-13 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, sericeous generally (especially when young) or only between nerves, nerve at apex of each angle clearly wider than the 3, intervening fine secondary nerves. Peduncles commonly solitary, 5-8 mm long, sericeous with few, obscure, light brown resin-hairs intermixed; heads widely ellipsoid to oblongoid, 8-9 mm long, 7-8 mm diam. Pods (few seen) to 10.5 cm long, 2.5 mm wide, tapered to stipe, woody- crustaceous, the glabrous or minutely papillate margins about equalling valve width. Seeds (few seen) narrowly oblong, 4. 5-5. 5 mm long, 1 mm wide, tan mottled yellow, aril 1/3-2/5 seed length. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; 30 miles [48.3 kmj from Paynes Find towards Sandstone, J.S. Beard 6470 (PERTH); 1 1 miles [17.7 kmJ NW of Wonganoo Station, 7.5. Beard 6546 (PERTH); Iona Station near Mount Magnet, 7.S. Beard 6665 (PERTH); 70 miles [1 12.6 km] E to SE of Sandstone, Dr Co/e 2/6 (PERTH); 2 km W of Yendang Rock, Walling Rock Station,/?./ Cranfield (PERTH, MEL - distributed asA. jamesiana); 10 km S of NE corner of Riverina Station,/?./ Cranfield 7539 (PERTH); 22 miles [35.4 km] NE of Laverton, A.S. George 2821 (PERTH); Wubin-Mullewa Road, 0.3 km Nof Wubin, A. //oy/e 338 (PERTH); 1 13.4 km N of Sandstone along the road to Wiluna, T.D. Macfarlane 1 129 (PERTH); 66 miles [106.2 km] N of Sandstone towards Wiluna, R.D. Royce 10386 (CANB, K. PERTH). Distribution. Scattered from Wubin east to near Wiluna and Laverton, Western Australia. Habitat. Red sand in open shrubland with spinifex (Triodia sp.) or in sand over laterite in shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering in September and October; submature fruits collected in December. Affinities. Most closely related to var. jutsonii which normally has shorter phyllodes (usually 4-7 cm long but occasionally reaching 10 cm) and ± globular heads with the flowers less densely arranged. The pods of var. jutsonii are often held ± erect while those of var. prolixa are probably spreading to pendulous and it also has smaller seeds; however, more fruiting samples of var. prolixa need to be examined to confirm these observations which are based on limited herbarium material. Variety prolixa occurs to the north of the geographic range of var. jutsonii. Consen’Cition status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The long, lax phyllodes of this variety give it a different aspect and is the basis for the epithet, from prolixus, Latin for elongate. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 41 8. Acacia levata Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex multicaulis 1-3 m altus, corona ad 5 ni diainetro, cortice griseo ad nigro, versus basem fissurato et fibroso, ramis levibus vel exasperatis, ramulis ad apicem leviter angularibus, appresso- puberulis sed glabrescentibus. Stipulae minutae, c. 0.75 mm longae, triangulares, sericeae. Phyllodia anguste elliptica vel oblong-elliptica, obtusa ad acuta, pulvino 1.5-3 mm longo, laminis 8-13.5 cm longis, 1-2 cm latis, crasso-coriaceis, subrigidis, minute sericeis (sub lente), 4-6 nervis principalibus distantibus elevatis cum nervis secondariis longitudinaliter anastamosantibus, nervo medio plerumque leviter manifestiore. Pedunculi 5-7 mm longi, glabri, spicis cylindricis, aureis, 20-25 mm longis, 6 mm diametro; bracteolarum unguiculo brevi, lamina concava triangulari acuta et valde uninervata. Flores pentameri, glabri. Sepala petalis 1/4-1/3 breviora, ovata, l/2-connata; petala 1/3-1/2-connata, acuta. Leguminalinearia, admarginem anguste alata, 7-15 cm longa, 8-12 mm lata, pendentia, lignosa, glabra. Semina longitudinalia, lato-elliptica ad subcircularia, 5-5.5 mm longa, 4.5 mm lata, 1 mm crassitie, hebetato-brunnea, funiculo piano, arillo ornato, cristato, subterminali expanso. Typiis: SW of Marble Bar [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons], 20 May 1982, B.R. Maslin 5264 (holo: PERTH 00603279; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY). Spreading, multistemmed shrub 1-3 m tall, the crown to 5 m diam.; habit not unlike that of A. xiphophylla. Bark grey to black, fissured and fibrous at base of trunks, smooth or rough on branches. New growth pale citron-sericeous with a silvery sheen. Branchlets terete but slightly angular at extremities, appressed-puberulous, glabrescent, dark red-brown. Stipules minute, c. 0.75 mm long, triangular, sericeous. Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 8-13.5 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, thickly coriaceous, subrigid, patent to slightly ascending, straight to gently curved, minutely sericeous with the hairs not apparent to the unaided eye, subglaucous (green or glaucous on young plants); apex obtuse to acute, the tip sometimes ± uncinate; pulvinus 1 .5-3 mm long; nerves raised, with 4-6, distant main nerves per face and longitudinally anastomosing secondary nerves between them, the central nerve normally slightly more prominent than the rest; glands 1-3, lowermost 1-4.5 mm above pulvinus. Peduncles 1 to several per axil, 5-7 mm long, glabrous; spikes cylindric, golden, 20-25 mm long, 6 mm diam.; bracteoles with a short .stipe and more or less triangular, concave, acute, strongly uninerved lamina. Flowers 5-merous, glabrous. Sepals 1/4- 1/3 as long as petals, ovate, 1/2-united. Petals 1/3- l/2-united, acute. Ovary sericeous. Pods linear, narrowly winged at the margins, not raised over or constricted between seeds, 7-15 cm long, 8-12 mm wide, pendent, woody, straight to slightly curved, glabrous, drying yellowish brown. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic to nearly circular, 5-5.5 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, 1 mm thick, dull, brown; pleurogram U-shaped, open at hilar end; areole darker than rest of seed; funicle ribbon-like, folded over end of seed then expanding into ornate, cristate, subterminal aril extending more than half along one side of seed, yellow(?). Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: S and SW of Marble Bar [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons], P. Locpcr 5.;?., 23 September 1988 (PERTH 00919713), P. Ryan s.n., 17 October 1983 (PERTH 00606081), L. Thomson LXT 1158 (PERTH) and LXT 1161 (PERTH) Distribution. Restricted to a relatively small area south and south-southwest of Marble Bar, northwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows in sand and sandy loam (pH 7-8.5) on hilltops and slopes with Acacia hilliana and A. translucens. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering in May; fruits with mature seeds collected in October. 42 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Ajfinities. Related to A. cuthbertsonii Luehm, (see above); in particular it may resemble subsp. cuthbertsonii which is most readily distinguished by its smaller, prominently sericeous phyllodes, smaller bracteoles, different pods and larger seeds with the terminal aril in the form of a scalloped pad of tissue. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The name refers to the more strongly raised nervature of the phyllodes than is characteristic of related taxa, from levatus, Latin for raised or elevated. 9. The “Acacia multispicata Group” Acacia multispicataBenth., A. sessilispicaMaiden & Blakely andA. singula Cowan & Maslin form an interrelated species complex whose taxonomy is not yet fully resolved. Although the latter two species aie reasonably well demarked, A. multispicata, as currently circumscribed, remains perplexingly variable and further studies are needed to elucidate these patterns of variation. The three species are characterized by their glabrous or nearly glabrous branchlets, eight to numerous-nerved phyllodes and tetramerous flowers which are aggregated in sessile or short-pedunculate spikes. Acacia acuminata Benth. (which will include A. burkittii F. Muell. ex Benth. treated as a subspecies in the forthcoming “Flora of Australia” volumes) and A. jibberdingensis Maiden & Blakely appear to be closely related to the A. multispicata group. Key to Acacia multispicata and its closest relatives 1. Sepals ± free to base; phyllodes terete, with 8 strongly raised nerves separated by deep furrows as wide or wider than the nerves 9.2. A. sessilispica 1 . Sepals 1/2-3/4 united; phyllodes terete to flat, normally not deeply furrowed between the nerves when terete 2. Phyllodes flat, to 4.5 cm long, 1.5-4 mm wide, 1-3-nerved per face 9.3 A. singula 2. Phyllodes terete OR if flat then more than 5 cm long or not more than 1.5 mm wide and 3 to many nerves on each face 9.1. A. multispicata 9.1. Acacia multispicata Benth., FI. Austral. 2; 400 (1864) Lectotype (here selected): Hill River, Western Australia, A. Oldfield s.n. (MEL 719340; isolecto: PERTH 00765821). Paralectotypes: (1) Swan River, J. Drummond s.n. (K); (2) interior of SW Australia, J.S. Roe s.n. (K, PERTH 01027026-fragment ex K) = A. sessilispica. [A. microneura auct. no« Meissner; E. Pritzel in L. Diels &E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 307 (1904).] [A. ephedroides auct. non Meissner: G. Bentham, FI. Austral. 2: 400 (1864), pro parte, as to J. Drummond 2: 149 (E, G, K, OXF, P); E. Pritzel in L. Diels & E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 307 (1904), as to E. Pritzel 585 (B, E, G, K, L, LY, M, P, PR, US).] [A. multispicata non Benth.: El. Austral. 2: 400 (1864), not as to lectotype but as to J.S. Roe s.n. (K, PERTH 00765821)] R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 43 Illustration. M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 1: 241 (1981). Low, multi-branched, spreading to erect, more or less domed, dense to wispy shrubs 0.2-2. 5 m tall, spreading 0.6-3 m diam., with smooth, grey bark. Branchlets terete to slightly angled by ribs from base of each phyllode, glabrous or sparingly appressed puberulous, sometimes tomentulose in phyllode- axils, grey or reddish-grey. New shoots white to grey, sometimes with golden tips. Stipules caducous to persistent, minute, triangular. Phyllodesterele to compressed, occasionally flat and linear, typically 2-7 cm long and 0.8-1. 5 mm wide with l;w = 13-55, sometimes to 10 cm long with l:w = 40-100, somewhat rigid or only coriaceous, commonly spreading, occasionally erect, slightly curved to straight, glabrous, pale- to dark-green; apex acute to acuminate, straight to uncinate, cuspidate or occasionally obtuse and excentrically apiculate, innocuous; pulvinus 0.7-2.5 mm long, cylindric or slightly flared basally, glabrous or puberulous on adaxial surface; nerves 8-20, 3-to many-nerved per face when flat, slightly to strongly raised; gland small, inconspicuous, 4-10 mm above base of blade. Peduncle 0-2 mm long, 2 per node, glabrous to puberulous; receptacle puberulous; basal peduncular bracts caducous to persistent to anthesis, broadly ovate, acute or acuminate, concave, ciliolate, otherwise glabrous or appressed puberulous; heads loosely oblongoid to cylindric, light-golden or golden, 8- 1 5(23) mm long, 3.5-5 mm diam.; bracteoles often caducous, broadly fan-shaped, sometimes auriculate, shortly stipitate, those at ba,se of spikes larger and darker, ciliolate, somewhat puberulous. Flowers 4-merous. Sepals 1/4- 1/2 as long as petals, 1/2-3/4-united, lobes broadly rounded, ciliolate, somewhat puberulous. Petals widely elliptic to elliptic, free, glabrous. Ovary appressed puberulous. Pods linear, strongly raised over and constricted between seeds, to 8 cm long, 3-4 mm wide, patent to deflexed, thin-crustaceous, commonly slightly curved, longitudinally wrinkled, glabrous, reddish-brown. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, elliptic, 3-4 mm long, 1 .7-2.5 mm wide, 1. 5-2.5 mm thick, dull to sub-nitid, surface smooth, pitted and/or verruculose, black; pleurogram U-shaped; areole small, pitted; aril terminal, c. 1/2 as long as seed, yellow (?), rarely lacking. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1 1 miles [17.7 km] W of Yealering, E.M. Bennett ()\5 (PERTH); 18.5 km due SSEof Peak Eleanora, M.A. Burgrnan 3782 (PERTH); 6.6 km NW of Wongan Hills towards Piawaning, R. Coveny 7835 & B.R. Maslin (CANB, K, NSW. PERTH); 6 km S of Kalbarri turn-off on North West Coastal Highway, R.S. Cowan A830 & R.A. Cowan (CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH, US); near Jarrahdale, R.J. Cumming 11 (PERTH); E of Mogumber, L. Diels 4049 (PERTH); Cranbrook, L. Diels 4415 (PERTH); near York, C.A. Gardner 13956 (PERTH); E of Carnamah on road to Bunjil, B.R. Maslin 736 (AD, BRI, CANB, PERTH); 2 miles [3.2 km[ SW of Wongan Hills towards Calingari, B.R. Maslin 1655 (K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); c. 9.7 km SE of Mount Hampton, R./?. Maslin 1828 (CANB, PERTH); 1.5 km S of Korbel Siding.S./?. Maslin 2360 (HO, NSW, NY, PERTH); 12 km S of Wickepin towards Harrismith, B.R. Maslin4196 (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Pony Hill, 18 km due SW of York, B.R. Maslin6\8\ (MO, NY, PERTH); 18 km due S of Hyden, B.R. Maslin 6306 (CANB, K, PERTH); Needilup Hill, K. Newbey 392 (PERTH); 1 5 km SSW of Queen Victoria Rock, K. Newbey 56^ (PERTH); Frank Hann National Park, R.D. Royce 10206 (PERTH); 33 km E of Lake King at Number I Rabbit Proof Fence, P G Wilson 5747 (MEL, NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Wide.spread from Ajana (c. 60 km east-southeast of Kalbarri) south to Cranbrook and east to near Queen Victoria Rock (which is c. 45 km south-southwest of Coolgardie) and Frank Hann National Park (located 30-1 10 km east-northeast of Lake King), southwest Western Australia. A specimen said to have been collected from 40 km south of Carnarvon (/. Olsen 584, PERTH) represents the northernmost record of the species. However, as this locality is c. 300 km north of Ajana and as the intervening area has been reasonably intensely collected it is possible that the locality on ths specimen is incorrect. 44 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Habitat. Mostly on sand especially yellow sandplain; also on gravelly sand and other gravelly soils, sandy loam, sandy clay and loam, rarely on rocky hills and on granitic soils. Mostly in heath, thicket, scrub, open scrub and mallee shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. The main flowering season is from August to October, though flowering specimens have been collected in March, April, June and July; pods with mature seeds have been collected from mid-November to mid-January. Typification. Choice of a lectotype is necessitated by Bentham having cited three collections in the protologue, one of which (J.S. Roe s.n.) represents /f. sessilispica. The lectotype of A. multispicata is an Oldfield specimen seen by Bentham, located at MEL (there appears to be no duplicate of this collection at K). This specimen has 8-nerved phyllodes and appears to represent the long-phyllode form of the species which is discussed below. The Drummond paralectotype cited by Bentham represents the same entity. Affinities. Closely related to both A. sessilispica Maiden & Blakely and A. singula Cowan & Maslin which are treated below, including a discussion of differences separating them from the present species. Discussion. Acacia multispicata is a variable species and is broadly circumscribed here. Attempts to define meaningful groupings based on the very considerable variation in phyllode length, correlated with length of the spikes or any other combination of characters have thus far been unproductive. Specimens with the longer phyllodes seem to have slightly longer pulvini and the young branchlets more often appressed puberulous but these are only tendencies which overlap with the more common short-phyllode forms. In flower parts, bracteoles, fruit dimensions and in details of the phyllodes one finds the same degree of variability. Although seed characters suggest a basis for subdividing the species into two entities the number of available fruiting samples are insufficient to permit us to derive conclusive results. Although all seeds are pitted in the region of the areole, some are verruculose as well. The number of nerves characterizing A. multispicata is unusually variable; although the basic number is eight, secondary nerves often develop equally strongly to produce a multinerved condition. Specimens of A. multispicata with long phyllodes could be confused with A. sessilispica-, the characters separating these two species are discussed below under A. sessilispica. 9.2. Acacia sessilispica Maiden & Blakely, J. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 13: 23, pi. 16, figs 5-10 (1928) Lectotype (here selected): Bruce Rock, Western Australia, August 1917, F. Steward 163 (NSW; isolecto: MEL, NSW - both incorrectly labelled “Kununoppin Jan. 1917”, and PERTH 01027050- fragment ex ?MEL), see discussion below. Paralectotype: Kununoppin, Western Australia, January ]9n,F. Steward 69 (NSW). A. multispicata Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 400 (1864), pro parte, not as to lectotype, as to paralectotype, interior of Southwest Australia, J.S. Roe s.n. (K, PERTH 01027026-fragment ex K). A. aciphylla var. leptostachys E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 306 (1904), s'yn. nov. Typus: Jacup Creek, Western Australia, 8 October 1901, L. Diels 4759 (iso: PERTH 0073 8 891 -fragment ex B). Typification. Two collections were cited in the protologue, F. Steward 163 (flowering, August), the other F. Steward 69 (fruiting, January). There are three relevant Steward sheets at NSW, labelled: R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 45 (1) “Kunonoppin/Dr. F. Steward 69, 1-17”; (2)”Kunonoppin/Dr. F. Steward 63, 1-17"; and (3) Bruce Rock, Merredin Distr., Dr. F. Steward 163, 8/1917". The first sheet is in fruit and January would be about correct for the fruiting date; the second sheet may be a duplicate of the third sheet, Stoward 163, in flower, but with the date and locality of the first sheet; the third sheet is in flower and the date of August is probably correct for the flowering period. Although all specimens of the type collection represent the same species, we have selected a lectotype because two collections were cited by Maiden and Blakely without indicating either as type. Discussion. Some collections from the southern end of the distribution, especially from the Ravensthorpe/Fitzgerald River region (e.g. 14 km SE of Mount Gibbs, K. Newbey 6577 (CANB, K, MEL) and Fitzgerald River Crossing, 34 km E of Jerramungup towards Ravensthoipe, B.R. Maslin 2582A, at PERTH) have pods somewhat constricted between the seeds but otherwise apparently this species. Affinities. There is a close relationship between this species and A. multispicata Benth. with which it has been confused, even by Bentham (1864) in the protologue. Individuals of A. multispicata with long phyllodes especially resemble A. sessilispica, but the latter species is recognized by its terete, 8-nerved phyllodes (the nerves separated by deep grooves which are as wide or wider than the nerves), young spikes (in bud) which are discernibly tapered towards their apices (spikes not narrowed in A. multispicata), peltate bracteoles, glabrous receptacles, free (or basally connate) sepals and smooth seeds (not pitted or veiTuculose). Acacia sessilispica is also related to A. jibberdingensis Maiden & Blakely which is readily distinguished by its normally flat, much longer ( 1 5-32 cm) phyllodes and its spikes on peduncles 6-1 1 mm long. Although the phyllodes of A. sessilispica often have a superficial resemblance to those of A. ephedroides the two species are not closely related; A. ephedroides is readily distinguished by its ± pubescent phyllode-nerves, 5-merous flowers (not 4-merous as described by Bentham 1864: 399) and densely hairy pods. 9.3. Acacia singula Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 0.35-2 m altus, cortice cano laevi, ramulis leviter angulatis, glabris praeter phyllodiorum axillas puberuias. Phyllodia plana, linearia ad lineari-oblanceolata, acuta ad subobtusa et excentrice arcuato-mucronata, aliquando plus minusve uncinata, pulvino I -2 mm longo, cylindrico, luteo, super paginam adaxilem plus minusve minute puberulo, laminis 2. 5-4.5 cm longis, 1 .5-4 mm latis, ratione horum 7-23, semi-rigidis, ascendentibus vel interdum patentibus, rectis ad leviter incurvatis, glabris, 1 -3 nervis in quoque pagina ± elevatis et distantibus, nervis marginalibus baud prominentibus, glnnde 2.5-7 mm supra pulvinam. Pedunculi solitarii, nulli vel usque ad 0.5 mm longi, receptaculo puberulo, capitulis lato-ellipsoideis vel oblongoideis, aureis, 6-9 mm longis, 4-4.5 mm diametro, bracteolis late oblato-ovatis, interdum auriculatis, sessilibus vel brevi-stipitatis, concavis, puberulis, ciliolatis. Flores tetrameri. Sepala longitudine 1/3- 1/2 petal! partes aequantia, 1/2-2/3-connata, plus minusve puberula, lobis rotundatis, plus minusve puberula concava, ciliolata. Petala elliptica, ad basim 1/4-1/3 cohaerentia, glabra. Legumina linearia, submoniliformia, supra semina valde elevata et inter semina valde constricta, ad 6.5 cm longa et 3.5 mm lata, Crustacea, recta ad leviter curvata, glabra. Semina longitudinalia, lato-elliptica, 3 mm longa, 2 mm lata, 1.5 mm crassitie, hebetato-nigra, alveolato- verruculosa, arillo terminali. Typus: Hatter Hill, c. 40 km NE of Lake King, Western Australia, 8 August 1979, K.R. Newbey 5442 (holo: PERTH 00154636; iso: CANB, G. K, MEL, NY,). 46 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Shrub 0.35-2 m tall with smooth, grey bark lightly fissured at base of stems. Stipules persistent, triangular, minute. Branchlets slightly angled, glabrous except minutely puberulous in phyllode-axils. Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate, 2.5-4. 5 cm long, 1.5-4 mm wide, l;w = 7-23, semi-rigid, ascending or sometimes widely spreading at unequal angles, straight to slightly incurved, glabrous, light green, slightly shiny; apex acute to subobtuse, excentrically arcuate-mucronate, sometimes ± uncinate; pulvinus 1-2 mm long, cylindric, somewhat puberulous on adaxial surface, yellow; nerves 1-3 per face, clearly distant when more than one, slightly to strongly raised, the marginal nerves not prominent; gland one, 2.5-7 mm above blade-base. Peduncles solitary in phyllode-axils, 0-0.5 mm long, puberulous; receptacle puberulous; basal peduncular bracts persistent to anthesis, semicircular, concave, thick, ciliolate; heads widely ellipsoid to oblongoid, golden, 6-9 mm long, 4-4.5 mm diam.; bracteoles broadly oblate-ovate, sometimes auriculate, sessile or with short stipe, concave, puberulous, ciliolate. Flowers A-mcrous. Sepa/i- 1/3- 1/2 as long as petals, 1/2-2/3-united, more or less puberulous, lobes rounded, concave, ciliolate. fera/j elliptic, coherent in basal 1/4- 1/3, glabrous. Ovary appressed puberulous. Pods linear, strongly raised over and constricted between seeds, submoniliform, to 6.5 cm long and 3.5 mm wide, crustaceous, straight to slightly curved, longitudinally wrinkled, glabrous, reddish-brown. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic, 3 mm long, 2 mm wide, 1.5 mm thick, dull, black, the surface alveolate-verruculose; pleurogram semi-circular; aril terminal, 2/3 as long as seed, yellow (?). Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Varley Cross Roads, S of South Iron Cap, K. Bradby 28 (PERTH); 27.9 km S of Varley Cross Roads and 1 1.6 km N of Hatter Hill Townsite on main track, K. Bradby KLB 29 (PERTH); 42.7 km ENE of Muckin wobert Rock, M.A. Burgman 2185 & 5. McNee (PERTH); 17 miles [27.4 km] W of Lake King, / Goo/h-(« 216 (PERTH); 13 miles [20.9 km] E of Lake Grace, J.W. Green 4442 (PERTH); Reserve No. 29023, 20 km SW of Newdegate, J.M. Koch N130 (PERTH); c. 2 km N of Lake King, R.H. Kuchel 1866 (PERTH); 0.5 mile [0.8 km] S of Lake King, F. LullfitzF5521 (PERTH); 17.5 km E of Lake Grace towards Newdegate, R./?. Maslin 3428 (PERTH); Hatter Hill, K. Newbey 3482 (PERTH) and 6562 (PERTH); Lake Grace-Lake King road, N. Perry for I. Armitage 708 (PERTH); about 16 km from Lake Grace on road to Lake King, N. Perry 708 (PERTH); 10.8 miles [17.5 km] E of Lake Grace on the main road towards Newdegate, M.D. Tindale 3753A (NSW, PERTH) and 3754 (CANB, K, NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Occurs from Lake Grace to near Hatter Hill (which is c. 145 km east-northeast of Lake Grace) and east to the Lake King area (which is c. 1 15 km east of Lake Grace), with one collection from near Muckinwobert Rock which is c. 100 km southeast of Lake King, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows mostly in gravelly sand over laterite, sometimes on rises and hilltops, in heath, scrub and mallee shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers late August to early October; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December and January. Affinities. Acacia singula is characterized, and distinguished from its close relative, A. multispicata, by its short, flat, 1-3-nerved, slightly shiny phyllodes. As discussed above A. multispicata is highly variable with respect to phyllode morphology and, although there are individuals with short, flat or few-nerved phyllodes, these characters do not occur in the combination which characterizes A. singula. For example, plants of A. multispicata with short phyllodes within the size range of A. singula, have terete to subterete, many-nerved phyllodes. In some respects the separation of these two species can be viewed as somewhat arbitrary. However, as the new species can be reliably distinguished from R,S, Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 47 A. multispicata and has geographical integrity we consider that species status is warranted. Furthermore, because some individuals of A. singula have 1 -nerved phyllodes (a rare character for a species of section Juliflorae) it seems best not to conceal this characteristic by subsuming the taxon within the highly variable A. multispicata. Specimen records at herb. PERTH show A. singula as occurring within the geographic range of A. multispicata', however, it is not known with certainty whether they are sympatric. The following two specimens collected from “13 miles [20.9 km] east of Lake Grace” demonstrate that the two must grow very close to one another: J. Goodwin 206 (A. multispicata, collected on 1 1/9/1964) and J. W. Green 4442 (A. singula, collected on 27/9/1975). Field studies are needed to ascertain whether they are sympatric, parapatric or allopatric. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The specific epithet was chosen to call attention to one of the chief differences separating the species from its nearest relative, that is, the sometimes single nerve in the phyllodes, from singulus, Latin for one. 10. The “Acacia neurophylla Group” This small group consists of three taxa that share the following characteristics: glabrous branchlets, phyllode nervature with widely spaced nerves generally without anastamoses, the gland near the junction of pulvinus and blade, more or less sessile spikes with a solitary basal peduncular bract, tetramerous flowers with free sepals, sub-peltate bracteoles and linear, firmly chartaceous pods. Key to species of the Acacia neurophylla Group 1 . Phyllodes 3-nerved on each face with the midnerve most prominent; spikes with loosely airanged, cream-coloured flowers; sepals 1/4 as long as 1/2-united petals; pods strongly raised over each seed on both sides, seeds with the areole ± 1/3 length of seed 10.1 A. incongesta 1 . Phyllodes 5-7-nerved on each face, nerves all equal or 3 more prominent; spikes with densely congested, golden flowers; sepals 2/3 as long as free petals; pods raised over seeds on alternate sides, seeds with minute areole 2. Pulvinus strongly flared at base, smooth or scarcely transversely wrinkled, glabrous, 3-5 mm long; phyllodes commonly 10-18.5 cm long and with midnerve and two laterals more strongly raised than secondary nerves; peduncles (1)3-5 mm long 10.2b. A. neurophylla subsp. erugata 2. Pulvinus cylindric or scarcely flared at base, strongly wrinkled transversely, glabrescent, 1 -2(3.5) mm long; phyllodes mostly 4.5-9(13) cm long, with the nerves equally prominent; spikes sessile, rarely with peduncles to 2 mm long 10.2a. A. neurophylla sub.sp. neurophylla 48 Nuytsia Voi, 10, No. 1 (1995) 10.1. Acacia incongesta Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex densus rotundatus 0.6-4 m altus, ramulis teretibus, initio plus minusve resinosis et resinosi- pilis dispersis, glabrescentibus; stipulae caducae ad persistentes, triangulares, 0.5 mm longae. Phyllodia angusto-elliptica, acuta, acute ad grosse pungentia, pulvino 1-1.5 mm longo, cylindrico, minute puberulo cum resinoso-pilis, glabrescenti, laminis 4-7 cm longis, 3-4.5 mm latis, ratione horum 11-18, semi-rigidis, ascendentibus ad erectis, leviter incurvatis; nervis 3, elevatis cum nervis marginalibus incrassatis et plus minusve resinosis; glande inconspicua, laminarum prope basem. Pedunculi binati 1-3 mm longi, minute puberuli; spicae cylindricae, cremeae, 15-25 mm longae, 3-4.5 mm diametro, laxe floribus; bracteolis subpeltatis. Flores 4-meri. Sepala longitudine 1/4 petal! partes aequantia, discreta, spathulata, puberula. Petala 1/2-connata, glabra. Ovarium sericeum. Legumina linearia, supra semina valde elevata et inter semina leviter constricta, ad 10.5 cm longa, 4 mm lata, pendentia, tenui-coriacea, arcuata, laevia, resinoso-pilis dispersis, stipite ad 8 mm longo. Semina longitudinalia, lato-elliptica, 3-4 mm longa, 2-2.5 mm lata, 1 .5 mm crassitie, subnitida, nigra, arillo terminal!. Typus: Peak Charles, Western Australia, 10 April 1971, A. 5. George 10621 (holo: PERTH 0154601; iso: CANS). Dense, rounded shrub 0.6-4 m tall. Branchlets terete, somewhat ribbed, glabrous or tips resinous and with scattered resin-hairs at first, glabrescent. New growth medium dark-green, resinous, shiny. Stipules caducous to persistent, triangular, 0.5 mm long, glabrous. Phyllodes narrowly elliptic, 4-7 cm long, 3-4.5 mm wide, l:w= 11-18, semi-rigid, ascending to erect, slightly incurved, at first somewhat appressed puberulous on midnerve and marginal nerves with minute, red resin-hairs, these sometimes persistent on midnerve; apex acute, sharply to coarsely pungent; pulvinus 1-1.5 mm long, cylindric, transversely wrinkled, minutely puberulous with red resin-hairs, glabrescent; midnerve and two weaker lateral nerves on each face strongly raised and more or less resinous, the marginal nerves obvious, thickened and rather resinous; gland small, inconspicuous, near base of blade. Peduncles binate, 1 -3 mm long, minutely puberulous with red resin-hairs; basal peduncular bracts solitary, persistent, broad- ovate, concave, glabrous; spikes cylindric, cream-coloured, 15-25 mm long, 3-4.5 mm diam., loosely flowered; bracteoles subpeltate, the lamina widely elliptic, ciliolate, the stipe puberulous. Flowers 4-merous. Sepals 1/4 as long as petals, free, spathulate, puberulous. Petals 1/2-united, glabrous. Ovary sericeous. Pods linear, strongly raised over seeds on each side and slightly constricted between seeds, to 10.5 cm long, 4 mm wide, pendent, thin-coriaceous, distinctly curved, smooth, with numerous, scattered resin-hairs or glabrous, brown, darker over seeds, with stipe to c. 8 mm long. Seeds longitudinally aiTanged in pods, widely elliptic, 34 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, 1 .5 mm thick, sub-glossy, black; pleurogram U-shaped; areole c. 1/3 as long as seed; funicle-aril terminal, yellow (?). Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Peak Charles, 7. 5. Beard 5S52 (PERTH); just E of Peak Charles, N. Browne 3 (PERTH); Peak Charles, H. Demarz 1 1988 (PERTH); base of E side of Peak Charles, B.R. Maslin 5435 (PERTH); Peak Charles, K. Aew/^ey 63 10 (CANB, PERTH); Peak Eleanora, Peak Charles National Park, K. Newbey 6338 (PERTH): Fitzgerald Peaks, 15 June 1929, G.L. Throssell & C.A. Gorr/ncr (PERTH 00154628). Distribution. Restricted to Peak Charles National Park (c. 100 km southwest of Norseman), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Lower granitic mountain slopes and occasionally on nearby sandy clay flats; also locally frequent in patches in granite heath. R.S, Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 49 Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering March to June; fruits with mature seeds collected in November. Affinities. The new species is most similar in overall appearance to the southern element of the typical subspecies of /4. neurophyUa which differs by its 5-7-nerved phyllodes, dense golden spikes, longer sepals (relative to the length of the petals), free petals and seeds with a minute areole. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Eytmology. The specific epithet refers to the more or less loosely flowered spikes of this species, one of the characters separating it from its close relative, A. neurophyUa', derived from the Latin word incongestus, meaning not congested. 10.2 Acacia neurophyUa W. Fitzg., J. W. Austral. Nat. Hist. Soc. No. 1 : 13 (1904) Lectotype (fide Maslin & Cowan, 1994): Cunderdin, Western Australia, August 1903, W.V. Fitzgerald s.n. (NSW, flowering specimen; isolecto: NSW, PERTH 01 1 16673 & 0116762). Paralectotype: Cunderdin, Western Australia, November 1903, W.V. Fitzgerald s.n. (NSW, PERTH 00765767 & 00765759, fruiting specimen). Erect or low spreading shrubs or sometimes small trees 0.5-5 m tall. Bark light grey, smooth or fissured, dark-grey and rough at base. Branchlets terete, often with few low ribs, glabrous or with scattered, minute, dark resin-hairs, dark reddish-brown. New growth dark green, young phyllodes tinged brownish, slightly viscid, sometimes glaucous. Stipules caducous, c. 1 mm long, triangular or oblong-lanceolate, glabrous. Phyllodes narrowly oblong-elliptic, (4.5)10-16(18.5) cm long, (3.5)7-10(13) mm wide, l:w= (6)10-44, rigid, erect, straight to incurved, flat, glabrous or with minute, red resin-hairs on nerves, at least on new growth, pale to dark green, commonly bright green; apex acute, innocuous to coarsely pungent; pulvinus 1-5 mm long, cylindric or tapered to dilated base, erugose to rugose, glabrous to minutely puberulous; 5-7 nerves on each face coarse to fine and raised, the nerves all equally prominent or midnerve and 2 laterals more prominent, the marginal nerves thickened, anastamoses occasional to rare; gland small, inconspicuous, at or near base of blade. Peduncles 0-5 mm long, glabrous or somewhat puberulous; basal peduncular bracts caducous to persistent, broadly ovate, sometimes more or less gibbose, glabrous; spikes cylindric, golden, 2-5 cm long, 5-6 mm diam., the flowers densely congested; bracteoles dark-coloured, unilaterally subpeltate, the lamina elliptic, the stipe puberulous. Flowers 4-merou.s. Sepals 2/3 as long as petals, free or to 1/3-connate, spathulate to spathulate-linear, more or less villosulose. Petals elliptic, free, somewhat puberulous near base. Ovaiy white-strigulose. Pods linear, strongly raised over seeds on alternate sides, not regularly constricted, to 8 cm long, 2.5-6 mm wide, thin-coriaceous, straight, smooth, glabrous or with scattered, minute, dark resin-hairs, reddish-brown, darker over seeds, the stipe slender, 3.5-5 mm long. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, commonly widely elliptic to ovate, sometimes nearly circular, 2. 5-3. 5 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, 1-1.5 mm thick, glossy, dark-brown or black; pleurogram semicircular to U-shaped; areole minute, paler than rest of seed; funicle/aril subterminal, conspicuous, galeate, (?) white. Distribution. Occurs from Cooloomia Homestead (c. 90 km north of Kalbarri) southeast to the Norseman-Moir Rock area (Moir Rock is c. 60 km south-southwest of Norseman), southwest Western Australia. 50 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. I (1995) Infraspecific taxa. Two subspecies comprise this species: the typical subspecies is rather variable and as currently circumscribed may include more than one taxon; further study both in the field and laboratory are needed to elucidate the complex patterns of variation characterizing the species. Subspecies neurophyllci has short, cylindric (or only slightly flared basally) pulvini, equally prominent nerves and generally sessile spikes. Subspecies erugata occurs farther north but the two subspecies overlap in the middle of the overall species range on yellow sand, gravel or laterite in tall shrubby sandplains. At least the southernmost element of the typical subspecies seems to be on granite and granitic sands. The new subspecies has phyllodes with the nerves “coarser”-appearing than in the typical subspecies but this is a very subjective evaluation; it results at least in part by the fact that very often three of the nerves are more raised than the other four, making the greater distances between nerves more apparent than real. Affinities. Acacia neurophylla is most nearly related to A. incongesta. 10.2a. Acacia neurophylla W. Fitzg. subsp. neurophylla Diffuse, low spreading, domed or flat-topped shrubs 0.5-2 m tall and 1-3 m across. Stipules triangular. New growth often with minute, appressed, red resin-hairs on nerves. Phyllodes 4.5-9( 1 3) cm long; pulvinus 1 -2(3.5) mm long, cylindric or slightly flaring basally, strongly rugose transversely, 1-2 (3.5) mm long, at least at first minutely puberulous with red resin-hairs; nerves 5-7, equally prominent. Spikes sessile, rarely with glabrous or appressed-puberulous peduncle to 2 mm long. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AEISTRALIA: Swan River Colony, J. Drummond 16 (G, OXF, P, PERTH); Wongan Hills, 5 September 1924, C.A. Gardners.)!. (PERTH 00465135); Bonnie Rock-Wialki, 1 1 September 1957, A. R. Main (PERTH 0046501 1 :southern variant); 5 miles [8 km] E of Coorow towards Latham, B.R. Maslin 94 (PERTH); Moir Rock, c. 60 km due SW of Norseman, B.R. Maslin 2488 (CANB, NY, PERTH: southern variant); 5.5 km N of Watheroo towards Three Springs, B.R. Maslin 3293 (PERTH); 1 1 km N of Watheroo on Geraldton Highway, B.R. Maslin 4493 (PERTH); Manners Valley, 15 km SE of Morawa, B.R. Maslin 6592 (PERTH); McDermid Rock, c. 100 km W of Norseman, K. Newbey 5263 (PERTH:southern variant); 6 km SSE of Mount Glasse, Bremer Range, K. Newbey 5596 (PERTH: southern variant); 1 2 km NW of Norseman, K. Newbey 8570 (MEL, PERTH: southern variant); Yorkrakine, M.H. Simmons 1264 (PERTH). Distribution. Disjunct, occurring from near Morawa southeast to Cunderdin, with a southern variant occurring east of Beacon (which is c. 55 km northeast of Koorda), also from the Lake Johnston area (which is c. 100 km west of Norseman) east to Norseman-Moir Rock area, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. From very limited data it appears that northern populations grow' on sand and laterite and southern populations on sandy loam, often near granite, in thicket and scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from July to September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in November and December. Discussion. Tbe typical subspecies varies considerably in several characteristics and the variation suggests that it may include two poorly defined entities; however, on the basis of currently available data, formal recognition of them is not warranted. One of these entities occurs in the southern part of the species range and the other one thoroughly overlaps with the new subspecies farther north. The R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 51 tendencies we have noted is for the northern element to have phyllodes with the tips often curved and the new shoots normally lack red resin-hairs. The southern element has phyllodes with straight tips and resin-hairs on new growth. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 10.2b. Acacia neurophylla subsp. erugata Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. Frutex erectus vel arbor parva; stipulae oblongo-lanceolatae; pulvinus versus basem attenuatus sed dilatatus ad basem, plus minusve transversaliter erugosus, 3-5 mm longus, glaber; laminae (7.5)10-18.5 cm longae, vulgo 3 nervis elevatioribus et 4 minoribus elevatioribus; spicae pedunculis glabris ( 1 )3-5 mm longis. Typus: 18.5 miles [29.6 km] E of Carnamah on road to Bunjil, Western Australia, 9 August 1970, B.R. Maslin 737 (holo: PERTH 00455814; iso: AD, BRI, CANB). Distributed as A. neurophylla W. Fitzg. Erect shrub (or small tree) 1-5 m tall, branching from near base. Stipules oblong-lanceolate. Phyllodes (7.5)10-18.5 cm long; pulvinus flared at base, erugose to slightly rugose transversely, 3-5 mm long, glabrous; nerves commonly with 3 more prominent and 4 finer and less raised. Spikes on glabrous peduncles (1)3-5 mm long. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Indarra, G. Phillips for A.M. Ashby 385 1 (AD, BH, CANB, K, PERTH, S); 49 km SW of Coolgardie towards Southern Cross, E.M. Canning WA/68 2459 (PERTH); 24 km S of Mount Hampton, c. 85 km SSW of Southern Cross, M.D. Crisp 1 102 (PERTH); Coolomia Nature Reserve, S.D. Hopper 1397 (PERTH); Caron Railway Siding, N. Hoyle 264 (AD, PERTH); 0.5 miles [0.8 km] N of Ballidu towards Pithara, B.R. Maslin 1656 (MEL, NSW, PERTH); 5 miles [8 km] due W of Merredin, B.R. Maslin 1748 (K, PERTH); 67.5 km S of Billabong Roadhouse on North West Coastal Highway, B.R. Maslin 2784 (AD, B, HO, PERTH, SP); 18 km S of Mukinbudin on the road to Kununoppin, B.R. Maslin 6390 (PERTH, Z): 7 miles [1 1.3 km] N of Rendering, K. Newbey 3239 (PERTH); c. 16 km W of Lake Deborah, P.G. Wilson 6188 (PERTH). Distribution. Occurs from Cooloomia Homestead southeast to Kondinin and Bulla Bulling (c. 30 km east of Coolgardie), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Yellow sand and laterite in thicket and scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from May to November, but especially in August and September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December and January. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 11. Acacia oncinophylla Lindley, Edwards’ Bot. Reg. 23: Swan Riv. Append, xv (1839) Typus: Swan River, Western Australia, J. Drummond s.n. (holo: CGE; iso: K, PERTH 01021729 ex CGE and 01021737-fragment ex K). 52 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Illustration. W.J. Hooker, Bot. Mag. 74: pi. 4353 (1848). Shrubs 1-2.5 m tall with red-grey “minnie-ritchie” bark, firawc/j/eti' flattened and angular towards apex, becoming angular-terete and ribbed, glabrous or with few appressed hairs mainly on ribs, sometimes pruinose or resinous-viscid. Stipules early caducous, lanceolate-linear, minute. Phyllodes linear or linear-oblanceolate, 4-13 cm long, 1-6 mm wide, thin-coriaceous to semi-rigid, ascending, straight to more or less incurved, glabrous or with few appressed hairs on nerves, resinous- viscid, dark green; apex acute to acuminate or rounded and mucronate or apiculate, abruptly separated from the blade or not, more or less curved; nerves 3, strongly raised and resinous with 3-4 less prominent, parallel secondary nerves; gland prominulous, 1.5-5 mm above base of blade, somewhat raised. Peduncles (1)2(3) per axil, (2)3-8 mm long, sericeous; basal peduncular bracts persistent to anthesis, 1-2 mm long, broadly ovate, sericeous or only sparsely appressed puberulous; spikes golden, 11-25 mm long, 5-6 mm diam., 50-97-flowered; bracteoles spathulate, sericeous, ciliolate, the lamina oblate, widely elliptic or triangular-ovate, the stipe short. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2-2/3 as long as the petals, 2/3-3/4-united, appressed puberulous, the lobes oblong, obtuse, ciliolate. Petals 1/2-2/3-united, glabrous. Ovary long-pilose. Pods linear, raised over but not constricted between seeds, to 6 cm long and 6 mm wide, crustaceous, straight to slightly curved, velvety with silvery or golden, erect hairs. Seeds (of subsp.porH/f/b/M) oblique, widely elliptic, 3-3.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 1.5 mm thick, glossy, brown-black; pleurogram double, continuous; areole widely elliptic, paler than rest of seed; aril terminal. Distribution. Occurs along the Darling Range from Mogumber (c. 100 km north of Perth) south to Wagerup (c. 110 km south of Perth), southwest Western Australia. Affinities. Acacia oncinophylla is closely related to A. fauntleroyi which, besides occurring farther inland, is distinguished by its obviously appressed hairy branchlets and phyllodes, often longer peduncles bearing shorter and broader oblongoid heads, caducous peduncular bracts, more completely united, sparingly puberulous petals and longer, subappressed pilose pods with the hairs more or less silvery. Infraspecific taxa. Acacia oncinophylla is comprised of two subspecies which differ most markedly in the shape and dimensions of the phyllodes and length of the spikes. Key to subspecies of Acacia oncinophylla 1. Phyllodes mostly 8-13 cm long and 1-2 mm wide, thinly coriaceous, tapering into acute to acuminate tip; branchlets not pruinose; spikes 11-13 mm long, 50-60-flowered I la. subsp. oncinophylla 1. Phyllodes 4-9 cm long and 3-6 mm wide, semi-rigid, abruptly rounded- obtuse and apiculate to mucronate; branchlets often ± lightly pruinose; spikes 15-25 mm long, 75-97-flowered lib. suh&p. patulifolia 11a. Acacia oncinophylla Lindley subsp. oncinophylla Branchlets glabrous or with ± sparse appressed hair mainly confined to ribs, not pruinose. Phyllodes linear, (6)8-13 cm long, 1-2(4) mm wide, 40-65 times longer than wide, thinly coriaceous; apex tapering, more or less curved, acute to acuminate. Peduncles 3-5 mm long; basal peduncular bract appressed-puberulous; spikes 11-13 mm long, 5-6 mm diam., 50-60-flowered. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 53 Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Hovea Falls, John Forrest National Park, P. Armstrong 84/171 (PERTH); Red Hill, F.M. Bennett 253 (PERTH); c. 34 km from Perth towards Toodyay, E.M. Canning WA/68 2795 (PERTH); Swan View, L Diels 4519 (PERTH); Mogumber, August 1901, L. Diels & E. Pritzel s.n. (PERTH 0061 1832); Mogumber, September 1901, L. Diels & E. Pritzel s.n. (PERTH 00607568); Darlington, October 1939, C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 00607495); Red Hill, Toodyay road, A.S. George 3041 (PERTH); Serpentine, Spring Valley Road, B.R. Maslin 4177 (PERTH); Wannamal, mid November 1984, A. Popplewell s.n. (PERTH 00607525); Darling Range, E. Pritzel 714 (K, M, P, Z); Helena Valley, J. Seabrook 275 (CANB, PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to the Darling Range from Mogumber south to Serpentine (c. 50 km south of Perth), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Granitic soil in heath and open woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from August to October. Immature pods have been collected in mid-November. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Flora and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. lib. Acacia oncinophylla subsp. patulifolia Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. A var. oncinophylla ramulis saepe leviter pruinosis, phyllodiis lineari-oblanceolatis ad apicem obtusis et abrupte contractis apiculatis vel mucronatis, 4-9 cm longis, 3-6 mm lads, ratione horum 10-27, semi-rigidis, pedunculo (2)4-8 mm longo, spicis 15-25 mm longis, 75-97-floribus differt. Typus: Barrington Quarry, Darling Range near Perth, Western Australia, 10 September 1972, B.R. Maslin 2827 (holo: PERTH 0061 1905; iso; AD, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY, W, Z). Branchlets often ± lightly pruinose. Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, 4-9 cm long, 3-6 mm wide, 10-27 times longer than wide, semi-rigid; apex abruptly contracted to rounded tip, apiculate to mucronate. Peduncles (2)4-8 mm long; basal peduncular bract glabrous oi sparsely appressed puberulous; spikes 15-25 mm long, 75-97-flowered. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: end of Rushton Road, Martin, Gosnells, R.S. Cowan A. 860 and R.A. Cowan (AD, BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, P, US); Mills Road, Gosnells, R.J. Cranfield 518 (PERTH, TEE) and 1003/79 (PERTH); Barrington Quarry, H. Demarz 1716 (PERTH), 1951 (KP, PERTH- fragment ex KP) and 7479 (CANB, PERTH); Crystal Brook, S. PaustAl (PERTH); North Dandalup, Darling Range, M Perry for/. Armitage 704 (PERTH); Wagerup, E. & S. Pignatti 483 (PERTH); Bickley Reserve, E. Wittwer W2294 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to the Darling Scaip near Perth and from near Pinjarra south to Wagerup, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows mostly in granitic soil in open woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from August to September with one collection in December; mature pods with seeds have been collected in November. 54 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. I (1995) Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The name of the new subspecies is derived from two Latin words, patulus for spread out or broad, and folium for leaf, in reference to the broader phyllodes of this taxon. 12. Acacia repanda Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex rotundatus vel infundibularis 0.5-2 m altus, cortice in cirratis angustatis lemniscis cadentibus. Ramuli teretes plus minusve costati puberuli vel hirsutuli et puberuli. Stipulae caducae vel persistentes, subulatae, 2-3 mm longae, puberulae. Phyllodia teretia vel compressa ad plana, linearia ad lineari- oblanceolata, apice curvato vel recto et acuto vel rotundato et mucronato, laminis 3.5-6 cm longis, 1-3 mm latis, horum ratione 15-45(60), plus minusve incurvatis, plus minusve rigidis, in nervis appresso-pubescentibus et initio cum resinoso-pilis rubris sed mox glabrescentibus, ubi teretibus 8-nervatis sed ubi planis 3 nervis iongitudinalibus valde elevatis saepe resinosis et a sulcis profundis separatis, glande inconspicua, 1-4.5 mm supra pulvinum. Pedunculi nulli. Capitula subglobularia ad lato-ellipsoidea, binata, 5-8 mm longa, 4.5-5 mm diametro, 20-25-floribus; bracteolis anguste ad late obtrullato-obovatis, adaxialiter subappresso-villosis, ciliatis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala longitudine 1/2-3/4 petal! partes aequantia, 1/2-3/4-connata, subappresso-puberula, lobis etiam rubris resinosis pilis, ciliatis. Petala 1/2-2/3-connata, plus minusve sericea. Legumina anguste oblonga, supra semina elevata, ad 3 cm longa, 4 mm lata, coriacea, valde undulata, villosa et plerumque pilis rubris et resinosis. Semina longitudinalia, lato-elliptica ad oblongo-ovata, 2.5-3 mm longa, 1.8 mm lata, 1.5 mm crassitie, nitida, atrate brunneo-nigra vel obscure maculata, funiculo carnoso in plica supra arillum subterminalem. Typus: Lake Hurlstone Nature Reserve, 9 km NW of Holt Rock on road to Hyden, Western Australia, 22 July 1989, B.R. Maslin6315 (holo: PERTH 00999881; iso: K). Distributed as A. ephedroides B&nth. Rounded to obconic shrub 0.5-2 ni tall, single-stemmed or much-branched at ground level. Bark “minni ritchie”, the outer, exfoliating shavings grey, underbark dark red. Branchlets terete, somewhat ribbed, puberulous or puberulous and hirsutulous. Stipules caducous or persistent, subulate, 2-3 mm long, puberulous. Phyllodes terete to flat, linear to linear-oblanceolate, 3.5-6 cm long, 1-3 mm wide, l:w= 15-45(60), rather rigid, patent to ascending, shallowly to moderately incurved, uncommonly almost straight, grey-green, sparsely appressed pubescent on nerves but soon glabrous, young phyllodes often with minute red resin-hairs intermixed with the normal indumentum; apex curved or straight, acute or rounded and mucronate; pulvinus c. 1 mm long, puberulous; 8-nerved in all, 3 nerves on each face when phyllodes compressed or flat, the nerves strongly raised, separated by deep furrows and often ± resinous; gland 1-4.5 mm above base of blade, small, inconspicuous. Peduncles absent; basal bracts persistent to anthesis, oblong to broadly ovate, concave, puberulous to sericeous, ciliate. Heads subglobular to widely ellipsoid, 2 per axil, light- to mid-golden, 5-8 mm long, 4.5-5 mm diam., 20-25- flowered; bracteoles narrowly to broadly obtrullate-obovate, evident in buds, acute to subacute, subappressed villose adaxially, ciliate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2-3/4 as long as the petals, 1/2- 3/4- united, subappressed puberulous, the lobes with red resin-hairs, ciliate. Petals 1/2-2/3-united, more or less sericeous. Pods narrowly oblong, raised over seeds, to 3 cm long, 4 mm wide, coriaceous, strongly undulate, light golden or white villose and usually also with minute red resin-hairs intermixed, dark brown. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic to oblong-ovate, 2.5-3 mm long, 1 .8 mm wide, 1 .5 mm thick, flat on the lateral surfaces, glossy, dark brown-black and obscurely mottled yellow; pleurogram semicircular to shortly U-shaped; areole somewhat depressed; funicle fleshy, forming a large fold over the subterminal aril. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 55 Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Reserve no. 29027, c. 1 km N of The Pimple, Nature Reserve 29027, c. 43 km clueESE of Hyden, 10 June 1986, K. Atkins s.n. (PERTH 00727539); The Pimple, Nature Reserve 29027, 40 km E of Hyden, K.J. Atkins 1582 (PERTH); 5 km S of Lake Carmody , W.E. Blackall 1387 (PERTH); 300 m E of Rabbit Proof Fence, 30 km S of Hyden-Norseman road, K. Bradby KLB5I (PERTH); Wongan Hills, August 1935, E.H. Ising (PERTH 00607703); 51 km due SE of Hyden, Pingaring Varley Road north, 1.5 km E of Kruppa Road, B.R. Maslin 6371 (CANB, PERTH, Z); 54 km due SE of Hyden, Pingaring Varley Road north, 4.5 km E of Kruppa Road, B.R. Maslin 6373 (PERTH). Distribution. Disjunct, occurring in the Holt Rock area (Holt Rock is c. 100 km east-northeast of Lake Grace) with one collection from Wongan Hills (c. 300 km to the northwest), southwest Western Australia. This sort of disjunction is somewhat unusual but has been recorded for some other wheatbelt species oi Acacia, e.g. A. drewiana subsp. minor Maslin (which occurs near Wongan Hills township and from Kukerin, c. 35 km northwest of Dumbleyung to Lake Yang, fide Maslin 1975) and4. sulcata var. platyphylla Maiden & Blakely (is known from one collection from near Wongan Hills township with all the other collections from much farther south, fide Cowan & Maslin 1993). The record of A. repanda at Wongan Hills is based on a 1 935 collection by E.H. Ising who is known to have collected in that area; although this region has been rather thoroughly collected by many botanists in recent years (Kenneally 1977), the species has not been recollected, so it may have become extinct. Habitat. Usually in loam or sandy loam near granite outcrops; in heath, scrub and shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering in June-August; fruiting November-December. Affinities. Closely related to A. ephedroides from which it is distinguished on the basis of a number of differences, the most obvious being its appressed pubescent branchlets, its longer and thinner phyllodes (6-16 cm long and 0.7-1 mm diam.) which are less rigid and terete to compressed, its non- undulate, longer pods (to 8 cm long) and its non-mottled, larger seeds (3-3.5 mm long). Conserx’ation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The strongly undulate pods of 4. repanda are the source of its name, from repandus, Latin for wavy. 13. Acacia stereophylla Meissner in J.G.C. Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2; 203 (1848) Typus: Swan River, Western Australia, J. Drummond 2; 100 (holo; BM-Shuttleworth herb.; iso; CGE, MEL, OXF, P, PERTH 01026984-fragment ex MEL, W; see Maslin & Cowan 1994a). Shrubs or trees 1 .5-4 m tall, sometimes to 6 m, crown to 6 m diam. Bark fibrous, greyish-brown on surface, cinnamon-brown beneath. Branchlets terete, often reddish or red-purplish, glabrous except tomentulose in phyllode-axils, often floccose-resinous. Stipules commonly caducous, triangular. Phyllodes flat and linear or terete to sub-terete, (8)10-18 cm long, 1 .3-6.5 mm wide, rigid, ascending to erect, straight to incurved, light green or grey-green; apex acute; pulvinus c. 2 mm long, flaring at base, smooth, with or without a distinct low rib on abaxial side (rib most obvious in var. stereophylla and often continuous with the branchlet rib), orange, densely puberulous on adaxial surface; nerves numerous, closely parallel, plane or slightly raised with the mid-nerve more prominent or all nerves 56 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) equally prominent, the marginal nerves (flat phyllodes) broad, yellow; gland 1, near apex of pulvinus. Peduncles 2 per node, 2-5(8) mm long, puberulous, rust-coloured resin-hairs sometimes present; basal peduncular bracts caducous; spikes cylindric, golden, (12)18-35 mm long, 6 mm diam., with loosely arranged flowers; bracteoles linear-oblanceolate or linear-spathulate, villosulose, curved or inflexed at junction of the blade and stipe. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 2/3 as long as petals, 1/4-1/2-united, villosulose, especially basally, lobes linear or slightly expanded apically. Petals l/-2/3-united, glabrous. Pods narrowly oblong, raised over and irregularly constricted between seeds, to 4 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, pendent, papery, straight, slightly reticulate-nerved, glabrous, pale grey-brown. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods to slightly oblique, widely elliptic to elliptic, 2. 8-3. 2 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, 1 mm thick, glossy, tan; areole minute, c. semicircular, darker than rest of seed; aril subterminal. Distribution. The species occurs from the Kalbarri National Park and Nerren Nerren Station (c. 90 km north-northwest of Kalbarri) southeast to Tammin and Boorabbin (c. 90 km east of Southern Cross), southwest Western Australia. Although the two varieties recognized within the species occur in the Murchison River district, they are not known to be sympatric. Infraspecific taxa. The two varieties comprising the species are similar in most respects except that the widespread var. stereophylla has flat phyllodes whereas var. cylindrata (restricted to Kalbarri National Park) have terete or subterete phyllodes. Duplicates of var. cylindrata have been distributed in the past as Acacia stereophylla. Key to varieties of Acacia stereophylla 1. Phyllodes flat, 3. 5-6.5 mm wide 13a. var. stereophylla 1 . Phyllodes terete to subterete, 1 .3-2 mm diam 13b. var. cylindrata 13a. Acacia stereophylla Meissner var. stereophylla Phyllodes flat, linear, (8-) 10- 17 cm long, 3. 5-6. 5 mm wide, marginal nerves distinct; pulvinus commonly with abaxial rib. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: near Wyalkatchem, W.E. Blackall 3535 (PERTH); 8.5 km from Wubin towards Wongan Hills, E.M. Canning WA/68 2918 (PERTH); 30 km S of Billabong, P.E. Conrick 1620 (PERTH); 6.3 miles [10.1 km] S of Mullewa town centre towards Mingenew, R. Cumming 2178 (MEL, PERTH); 40 miles [64 km] from mouth of Irwin River, 1871, J. Forrest s.n. (PERTH 00470058); near Rock Well, c. 6.5 km W of Yuna towards Geraldton, B.R. Maslin 3098 (B, MO, PERTH); 16 km N of Murchison River on North West Coastal Highway, B.R. Maslin 3147 (BM, PERTH); 10 km N of Southern Cross towards Bullfinch, B.R. Maslin 3958 (PERTH); 13.5 km N of Tammin towards Korrelocking, B.R. Maslin 4423 (PERTH); 8 km N of Perenjori on the road to Morawa, //./?. Maslin 5068 (PERTH); Ebbano near Yandanooka, 26 September 1904, A. Morrison s.n. (PERTH 00469866); 2 km W of Yacke Yackine Dam, c. 75 km NNW of Bullfinch, K. Newbey 9\29 (PERTH); between Tenindewa and Ardingly, c. 52 miles [83.7 km] E of Geraldton, G. Phillips for A.M. Ashby 4832 (CANB, K, PERTH); c. 89 km from Southern Cross towards Coolgardie, M.E. Phillips WA/68 677 (PERTH); 72.4-75.6 km S of Wannoo, M.E. Phillips WA/68 1 169 (PERTH); Cullimbin Reserve, 13.3 km E of Manmanning, J.H. Ross 2903 (PERTH); 11.3 km SE of Morawa towards Perenjori, M.D. Tindale 2768 (K, NSW, PERTH). R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 57 Distribution. A widespread variety occurring from Nerren Nerren Station, southeast to Tammin and Boorabbin, Western Australia. Habitat. Grows in sand, gravelly sand and loam, mostly on plains, in shrubland (where it is often common), thicket and woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected from mid- August to October, with single collections in June and December; pods with mature seeds have been collected from late November to January. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 13b. Acacia stereophylla var. cylindrata Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. A var. stereophylla phyllodiis teretibus vel subteretibus, 1 .3-2 mm diametro, nervis pariter distinctis, pulvino plerumque sine crista abaxiali differt. Typus: Murchison River area, Western Australia, 31 August 1966, A.C. Burns 1003 (holo: PERTH 01026992; iso: CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH 00590460 and 00590452). Phyllodes terete or subterete, 11-18 cm long, 1.3-2 mm diam., nerves equally distinct; pulvinus normally lacking abaxial rib. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Loop Gorge, Murchison River, D.R. & B. Bellairs 1629 (PERTH) and 18 January 1982, j.n. (PERTH 00470120); The Loop, A./ Cough 217 (PERTH); Gorge Road from junction with Ajana-Kalbarri road to The Loop carpark, 26.7 km from Gorge Road turn-off, R.S. Cowan A8 1 7 & R.A. Cowan (NY, PERTH, US); “Z” bend Lookout, Kalbarri National Park, N. Hoyle 598 (PERTH); The Loop Lookout, Kalbarri National Park, N. Hoyle 619 (CANB, PERTH); Kalbarri, along the Murchison River near The Loop, E. & S. Pignatti 1 22 (PERTH); Kalbarri to the North West Coastal Highway, M.H. Simmons 458 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to the Kalbarri National Park on the Murchison River, southwest Western Australia; the type collection was very likely collected in the Park which was not established until 1968 and consequently the label gives only “Murchison River area”. Habitat. Grows on sandstone cliffs and sand over sandstone in Acacia shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected from mid-August through September and pods with mature seeds have been collected in January. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The terete phyllodes are the basis for the epithet of the new variety, from cylindratus, a Latin word meaning in the shape of a cylinder. 58 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) 14. Acacia xanthocarpa Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex rotundatus vel infundibularis, 2-3 m altus, truncis et ramis plus minusve contortis, ramulis teretibus sed ad apicem leviter angulatis, initio appresso-puberulis sed mox glabrescentibus, rubro- brunneis et nitidis. Phyllodia teretia, acuta, ad apicem saepe curvata, ad 1 .5 mm longum versus basem expansum pulvinum attenuata, laminis 6-9.5 cm longis, 0.9-1 mm diametro, rectis ad leviter incurvatis, nervis numerosis, arete parallelis. Pedunculi in quoque axilla solitarii vel binati, 2-7 mm longi, plus minusve appresso-puberuli; capitula subglobularia ad oblongoidea. aurea, circa 6 mm longa et 5 mm diametro, 18-20-floribus; bracteolis spathulatis, lamina concava, fimbriato-ciliolata. Flores pentameri. Sepala longitudine 1/3 petal! partes aequantia, 1/4-1/2-connata, lobis oblongis, ad apicem rotundatis, fimbriato-ciliatis. Petala 1.8 mm longa, erecta, circa 2/3-connata, lobis ovatis, acutis. Ovarium papillato-puberulum. Leguminaoblonga, undulata, supra semina elevata, 6-8 cm longa, 8-15 mm lata, crustaceo-coriacea, interdum plus minusve curvata, dense velutina, pilis longis, erectis, initio atro-aureis sed demum albis. Semina obliqua ad transversa, lato-elliptica ad circularia, ad centrum depressa, 6.5-9 mm longa, 6.5-8 mm lata, 3.5 mm crassitie, hebetate atro-brunnea, pleurogramma elliptica, continua, arillo terminal!. Typus: Norie Station, Western Australia, 2 August 1982, A. A. Mitchell9W (holo: PERTH 00154164 and 02054515; iso: CANB, G, K, MEL, NY, PERTH 00153702). Rounded or obconic shrub 2-3 m tall, the trunks and main branches somewhat contorted. Bark grey, fibrous, fissured on main trunks, slightly rough on branchlets. Branch lets terete, slightly angled at extremities, appressed puberulous at first but soon glabrescent, red-brown, shiny. Phyllodes terete, 6-9.5 cm long, 0.9-1 mm diam., erect, straight to slightly incurved, tapering basally, appressed puberulous at first but soon glabrescent or some hairs persisting in longitudinal grooves, green (somewhat glaucous when young); apex acute, the tip straight or more commonly curved to almost uncinate and to 1 .5 mm long; pulvinus c. 1 .5 mm long, flaring towards base; nerves numerous, closely parallel, slightly raised; gland near base of blade, small, inconspicuous. Peduncles solitary or paired, 2-7 mm long, ± appressed puberulous; heads (few seen) subglobular to oblongoid, golden, c. 6 mm long and 5 mm diam., 18-20-flowered; bracteoles spathulate, the blade concave, fimbriate-ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/3 as long as petals, 1/4-1/2-united, the lobes oblong, rounded apically, fimbriate-ciliate. Petals 1.8 mm long, erect, c. 2/3-united, the lobes ovate, acute. Ovary papillate- puberulous. Pods oblong, undulate, raised over seeds but not constricted between them, 6-8 cm long, 8- 1 5 mm wide, crustaceous-coriaceous, sometimes somewhat curved, densely velvety, the ± long, erect hairs light golden on young pods but whitish on mature pods, oblique to transverse in pod, widely elliptic to circular, depressed in centi'e, 6.5-9 mm long, 6.5-8 mm wide, 3.5 mm thick, dull, dark brown; pleurogram continuous, elliptic, surrounded by band of light brown tissue sometimes extending to the areole; aril terminal, consisting of a small mound of (yellow?) tissue. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 60 miles [c. 96 km] SW of Wiluna.d.S. Beard 4775 (PERTH); Norie Station, J. Bell 846 (PERTH); Norie Station, 0.5 km W of homestead, c. 25 km due SW of Meekatharra, B.R. Maslin 5385 (CANB, K, PERTH); 42 km S of Neds Creek Station turn-off on Wiluna-Great Northern Highway road, B.R. Maslin 5389 (PERTH); Polelle Station near Shearing Shed, A. A. Mitchell 1044 (MEL, PERTH); Belele Station, A.L. Payne 82 (PERTH); S of Karalundi, N.H. Speck 1096 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to a small area just west and south of Meekathan a from the Belele, Norie and Polelle Stations, extending to c. 120 km northeast to Doolgunna Station and Neds Creek Station, also to an area c. 120 km southeast of Meekatharra, west-central Western Australia. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 59 Habitat. On rocky basalt hills and plains, commonly along drainage lines. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in July-August; one mature fruit with mature seeds collected in December. Affinities. Resembles some of the “A. aneura Group” vegetatively but its true relationships are not known to us. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The specific epithet is chosen to call attention to the golden velvety pods, from the latinization of two Greek words, xanthos, yellow or golden, and karpos, fruit. 15. Acacia yorkrakinensis C. Gardner, J. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 27: 174 (1942) Typus: Yorkrakine, Western Australia, August 1920, C.A. Gardner s.n. (holo: PERTH 00776831). Spreading, often rounded, dense to ± open shrubs or trees 1-4 m tall, branching from near ground level. Bark grey, becoming fissured at base of trunks. Branchlets terete, pruinose, glabrous. Phyllodes linear to linear-elliptic or narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic, 3-16 cm long, 3-13 mm wide, l:w = (3)4-40, more or less coriaceous, not rigid, ascending, straight to somewhat incurved or slightly recurved, glabrous, grey-green to glaucous; apices acute to acuminate or caudate-acuminate, rarely obtuse, commonly curved; pulvinus 1 .5-3(4) mm long; nerves numerous, fine, closely parallel, rarely a few anastamosing, the midnerve slightly raised and more evident than the rest, margins red to light brown. Racemesl-'iQ mm long, commonly 2-18 mm long, 1-4-headed, glabrous, somewhat pruinose; peduncles 5-13 mm long; spikes dense, 10-22 mm long, 5-7 mm diam., golden; bracteoles peltate with a stipe c. 1 mm long, villose. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals c. 1/3 as long as the petals, 1/2-3/4-united in a puberulous cup, the lobes rounded-obtuse. Petals 1/4-2/3-united, glabrous. Pods linear, raised over seeds but not constricted between them, 6.5-11 cm long, 4-5.5 mm wide, crustaceous-coriaceous, straight, glabrous, more or less pruinose. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong-elliptic, 4-5 mm long, 3 mm wide, glossy to sub-glossy, dark brown to ± black; pleurogram U-shaped, open at hilar end; aril terminal and folded. Distribution. Extending from Perenjori and Wubin (c. 20 km north of Dalwallinu) southeast to near Coolgardie, Lake King (c. 115 km east of Lake Grace) and Peak Charles (c. 95 km south-southwest of Norseman), Western Australia. The typical subspecies is restricted to a small area near Yorkrakine; subsp. acrita has a much wider distribution (including a record of it from Yorkrakine). Infraspecific taxa. Comprised of two closely related subspecies which differ principally in phyllode form (see key below). The new subspecies described here is the taxon that has been conventionally referred to as A. signata. Affinities. Closely related to A. signata which differs largely by its commonly spindly habit, yellow- margined phyllodes and by its geographic distribution; although the ranges of the two species overlap in the Perenjori-Wubin area, the range of/l. signata continues north to near Shark Bay in more coastal and near-coastal situations than A. yorkrakinensis. 60 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. I (1995) Key to subspecies of Acacia yorkrakinensis 1. Phyllodes 3-9.5 cm long, (5)6-13 mm wide, l;w = (3)4-12, narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic, acute to obtuse 15a. subsp. yorkrakinensis 1. Phyllodes 8-16 cm long, 3-6(1) mm wide, l:w = 15-40, linear to linear-elliptic, acuminate to caudate-acuminate 15b. subsp. acrita 15a. Acacia yorkrakinensis C. Gardner subsp. yorkrakinensis Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic, 3-9.5 cm long, (5)6-13 mm wide, l;w = (3)4-12, acute or sometimes obtuse, the tip straight to slightly curved. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 10 km N of Bungalla, E.E. Conn 2-82 (PERTH); 17.6 km N of Bungalla, 2 September 1936, C.A. Gardner (PEKYW 00583359); 1.6 km S of Yorkrakine on road to Bungalla, B.R. Maslin 598 (PERTH); 10.5 km N of Bungalla towards Wyalkatchem, B.R. Maslin 3393 (CANB, K, PERTH); North Bungalla Reserve A 17732, 17 km NW of Kellerberrin Townsite, B.G. Muir 297(3.3) (PERTH); Bruce Rock to Yorkrakine, J.G. & M.H. Simmons 365 (PERTH); just S of Yorkrakine, M. Simmons 374 (PERTH); Yorkrakine, M.H. Simmons 1266 (PERTH); 6.4 miles [10.5 km] N of Bungalla turn-off on Great Eastern Highway, M.D.Tindale 3711 (PERTH). Distribution. Narrowly restricted to the Yorkrakine-Bungalla area (c. 30 km north to c. 10 km east of Tammin), southwest Western Australia. Subspecies acrita has a much wider distribution but there is one record of it occumng within the range of subsp. yorkrakinensis (see below). Habitat. Grows in red or yellow sand or sandy clay in sandplain heath with Eucalyptus spp. and in Acacia stereophylla shrubland. Elowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from July to September; data on fruiting times is unavailable due to the lack of fruiting collections. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. 15b. Acacia yorkrakinensis subsp. acrita Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. A var. yorkrakinensis phyllodiis 8-16 cm longis et 3-6(7) mm latis, versus basem gradatim. attenuatis, apice acuminato ad caudato-acuminato plerumque plus minusve curvato differt. Typiis: 10 km S of Merredin towards Bruce Rock, Western Australia, 27 August 1973, B.R. Maslin 3410 (holo: PERTH 00583707; iso: BH, BRl, DNA). Distributed as A. signata F. Muell. A. acuminata var. glaucescens E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 308 (1904). T: near Karalee, Western Australia, L Diels 5579; n.v. [A. acuminata auct. non Benth.: G.Bentham, El. Austral. 2; 404 (1864), pro parte, as to J. Drummond (?4:) 135 (K).] R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 10 61 [A. signata auct. non F. Muell.: J.H. Maiden, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 51: 265 (1917).] Illustration. M. Simmons (as A. signata), Acac. Australia 2: 249 (1988). Phyllodes linear to linear-elliptic, 8-16 cm long, 3-6(7) mm wide, l:w = 15-40, attenuate towards base, acuminate to caudate-acuminate, the tip normally curved. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 20 km E of Damboring, T.E.H. Aplin (NSW, PERTH); 1.6 km W of Bodallin, N.T. Burbidge 4930 (PERTH); 6.8 km E of Carrabin by road, R. Coveny 8355 & B. Haheiiey (CANB, K, L, NSW, PERTH, UC, US); 15.5 km W of Mukinbudin towards Bencubbin, R.J. Cumming 2288 (MELU, PERTH); Wubin, H. Deniarz 6882 (PERTH, TEE); Yorkrakine, 27 July 1948, C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 00584363); 4.8 km S of Perenjori, J. Goodwin 174 (PERTH); 33.6 km W of Coolgardie, J. Goodwin 280 (PERTH); Merredin, M. Koch 3014 (PERTH); 4.8 km W of Hines Hill on Great Eastern Highway, B.R. Maslin 588 (MEL, PERTH); c. 8 km due W of Merredin, B.R. Maslin 1747 (AD, PERTH); c. 4.8 km due W of Merredin, B.R. Maslin 1751 (CANB, NSW, PERTH); 52.4 km from Wubin towards Mount Magnet, B.R. Maslin 3536A (PERTH); 1 1 km WSW of Boorabbin, K. Newbey 5723 (BRI, PERTH); 20 km NE of Peak Charles, c. 40 km NW of Salmon Gums, K. Newbey 6485 (PERTH); Hines Hill, F. Stoward 504 (PERTH); 2.7 km W of Merredin, M.D. Tindale 3727 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, PERTH, US); 150 km Wof Kalgoorlie on Great Eastern Highway, T. & Whaite 4076 (CANB, K, PERTH). Distribution. Widespread from the area around Perenjori and Wubin southeast to near Coolgardie, Lake King and Peak Charles, southwest Western Australia. If the locality given on the Gardner s.n. specimen cited above is correct then it is possible that subsp. acrita and subsp. yorkrakinensis are sympatric in the Yorkrakine area. Habitat. Grows commonly in yellow sand but also in gravelly sand, gravel, sandy clay and sandy loam in mallee heath, open shrubland and mallee-wattle open scrub on flat-lands, gently undulating sandplains and gravelly or rocky rises. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering mainly from August through September but some collections have been made as early as July and as late as December; pods with mature seeds are found from November to January. Typification. The type of /I. acuminata var. glaucescens has not been seen. However, because the type locality is within the range of subsp. acrita and because the (albeit very brief) original description is not at variance with the new subspecies, it seems reasonable to treat Pritzel’s name in synonymy here. Conservation status. Widely distributed, not known to be under threat. Ftymology. The name for the subspecies derives from the confusion that has existed between A. signata and this subspecies of /I. yorkrakinensis, from a latinized Greek word for confused or mixed, akritos. 62 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. I (1995) Acknowledgements Diana Corbyn and Karina Knight provided valuable assistance in completing this study and we gratefully acknowledge the importance of their contributions. The Australian Biological Resources Study provided some financial support for the project. References Bentham, G. (1864). “Flora Australiensis” vol. 2. ( Lovell Reeve: London.) Cowan, R.S. & Maslin, B.R. (1993). Acacia Mi.scellany 7. Acacia sulcata and related taxa (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Western Australia. Nuytsia 9: 69-78. Kenneally, K.F. (1977). “ The Natural History of Wongan Hills.” (Western Au.stralian Naturalists’ Club: Perth.) Maslin, B.R. & Cowan. R.S. (1994). William Vincent Fitzgerald’s species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae): typification of the names. Nuytsia 9: 387-398. Maslin. B.R. & Cowan, R.S. (1994a). C.F. Mei.ssner’s species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae): typification of the names. Nuytsia 9: 399-414. Maslin, B.R. (1975). Studies in the genus Acacia (Mimosaceae) 4. A revision of the series Pukhellae. Nuytsia 1: 388-492. Maslin, B.R. & Cowan. R.S. (in press). What type of type? Australian Systematic Botany Newsletter. Nuytsia 10 (1): 63-84 (1995) 63 Acacia Miscellany 11. Miscellaneous taxa of northern and eastern Australia oi Acacia section Plurinerves (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Abstract Cowan, R.S. and B.R. Maslin. Acacta Miscellany 11. Miscellaneous taxa of northern and eastern Australia of Acac/a s&ciion Plurinerves (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). Nuytsia 10(1): 63-84 (1995). Two new species (A. kenneallyi Cowan & Maslin and A. manipularis Cowan & Maslin) and one new subspecies (A. retivenea F. Muell. subsp. clandestina Cowan & Maslin ) are described. Acacia lanigem Cunn. is distinguished from A. venulosa Benth. and is viewed as comprising three varieties, var. lanigem. var. grac/7tpej Benth. and var. whanii(F. Muell. ex Benth.) Pescott (syn, A. whanii F. Muell. ex Benth.). In addition, lectotypes for several taxa are designated herein: A. subporosa var. linearis Benth. (the base name for A. cognata Domin), A. eatce/ra Benth., A. hemignosta F. Muell., A. lanigera Cunn., A. lanigera var. gracilipes Benth., A. leiicophylla Bindley (= A. pendula Cunn. ex Don), A. praelongata F. Muell., A. subporosa F. Muell., and A. trinervata var. brevifolia. A note concerning the binomial A. sericata Cunn. ex Benth. is also included and discussions are presented concerning A. farinosa Bindley, A. latescens Benth. and A. trinen'ata Sieber ex DC. Introduction In the course of the preparation of our contribution for the account of the genus Acacia for the Flora of Australia”, we have made many new observations, corrected earlier errors and re-arranged the taxonomy of numerous taxa, in addition to which we have recognized many altogether new entities. These are being published separately from the Flora and in this paper information is presented concerning several miscellaneous species, in addition to a number of new taxa, from the north and east of Australia. Methods The species included in this paper are presented under two headings: (1) new and revised taxa, and (2) miscellaneous lectotypifications and notes. In so far as has been possible the species are arranged alphabetically within these two groups. 64 Nuytsia Vol, 10, No. I (1995) Our approach to typification is discussed in Maslin & Cowan (in press) and our method of ranking taxa is discussed in Cowan & Maslin (1994). The conservation status of Western Australian taxa is assessed using the criteria outlined on page 141 of this journal. All measurements and observations were made from dried herbarium specimens unless specifically stated otherwise. New and revised taxa 1. Acacia kenneallyi Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Arbor vel frutex aperto-ramosus, debilis, 2-7 m altus. Cortex laevis. Ramuli teretes, glabri, pruinosi, atrati. Stipulae persistentes, circa triangulares, minutae. Phyllodia anguste elongato-elliptica ad linearia, attenuata versus apicem acutum, longo-attenuata versus pulvinum pruinosum, 5-7 mm longum, laminis 15-25 cm longis, 6-14 mm latis, tenuiter coriaceis, rectis ad leviter arcuatis, glabris, 1 nervo principali longitudinal! elevato, nervis secondariis plus minusve reticulatis, indistinctis, nervis marginalibus incrassatis; glans principalis laminarum prope basem, magna, conspicua, lato-elliptica et in nervo marginalia 1 — 4 glandes secondaria inserta. Inflorescentiae racemosae, axillares vel terminales, aliquando pedunculis 1-4 in axilla, axibus 2- 10 cm longis, glabris, plus minusve pruinosis; pedunculi 8-25 mm longi, 1 ad aliquot per nodum, graciles, glabri; capitula globularia, aurea, circa 5 mm diametro, 46-56-floribus, bracteolis unilateraliter peltatis, minutis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala petalis 2/3-3/4 breviora, 3/4-connata, inter lobos diaphana, lobis late ovatis, rotundatis et apiculatis vel acutis, puberulis. Petala 3/4-connata, inter petalas diaphana, lobis ovatis, puberulis. Staminorum filamenta discreta vel ad basem plus minusve connata. Ovarium glabrum. Legumina (submatura) angusto- oblonga, 9.5-11 cm longa, 10-11 mm lata, coriacea, recta, plana, aperto-reticulata, marginibus incrassatis. Semina (immatura) obliqua, funiculo linear!, rubro-brunneo, apicaliter in arillum conspicuum abrupte expando, arillo conspicuo, galeato, terminal!. Typus: on mainland 8.3 km E and across from Savage Hill on Bigge Island, Western Australia, 5 June 1987, K.f. Kenneally 10167 and B.P.M. Hyland (holo: PERTH 00870501 ; iso: CANB, K). Openly branching, weak tree or shrub 2-7 m tall. Bark smooth. Branchlets terete, glabrous, pruinose, dark-coloured. Stipules persistent, more or less triangular, minute. Phyllodes narrowly elongate-elliptic to linear, 15-25 cm long, 6-14 mm wide, thin-coriaceous, straight to slightly arcuate, glabrous, light- to dark-green; apex tapering to acute tip; base attenuate to the pruinose pulvinus 5-7 mm long; blade with one prominent longitudinal main nerve, one weaker longitudinal nerve commonly present but disappearing in lower half of phyllode, the secondary nerves more or less reticulate, indistinct, the marginal nerves prominent, thickened; main gland conspicuous, situated on phyllode margin at or near base of blade, widely elliptic with raised margins and depressed centre, 1-4 smaller glands on upper marginal nerve. Inflorescences axillary or terminal racemes, or 1-4 heads in phyllode axils, the axes (when present) 2-10 cm long, glabrous, somewhat pruinose; peduncles 8-25 mm long, slender, glabrous; basal peduncular bracts persistent, minute, ± triangular; heads globular, golden, c. 5 mm diam., 46-56-flowered, congested; bracteoles unilaterally peltate, the lamina rounded and puberulous. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 2/3-3/4 as long as petals, 3/4-united, tissue between sepals diaphanous, lobes broadly ovate, rounded and apiculate or acute, puberulous. Petals 3/4-united by R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 65 diaphanous tissue between the petals, lobes ovate, densely puberulous with white and pale golden hairs. Stamen filaments free or somewhat united basally . Ovary glabrous. Pods (slightly immature) narrowly oblong, flat, slightly raised over but not constricted between seeds, 9.5-1 1 cm long, 10-1 1 mm wide, coriaceous, straight, openly reticulate, glabrous, attenuate basally, apex acute, margins thickened. Seeds (slightly immature) obliquely arranged in the pods; funicle linear, red-brown, abruptly expanded into a conspicuous, terminal, dull brownish yellow (probably cream or white when fresh), helmet-shaped aril. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Naturalist Island, Prince Frederick Harbour, M. Evans 12B (PERTH), K.F. Kenneally 9919 (PERTH), 9931 (MEL, PERTH) and 9940 (PERTH); Boomerang Bay on W side of Bigge Island, Bonaparte Archipelago, K.F. Kenneally 10036 (CANB, PERTH); Heywood Island, Bonaparte Archipelago, P.G. Wilson 10901 (PERTH); Byam Martin Island, Bonaparte Archipelago, P.G. Wilson 1 1467 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to the Bonaparte Archipelago area in the Kimberley area from Hey wood Island northeast to Bigge Island and the mainland across from Bigge Island, northern Western Australia. Habitat. Grows in sand over sandstone and also on dolermite, commonly in eucalypt woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from late May to June; pods with mature seeds have not been collected. Affinities. The one main longitudinal nerve in the phyllodes might suggest section Phyllodineae DC. as the group in which one should search for relatives of A. kenneallyi. However, the new species appears to be most closely related to A. latescens Benth. which has phyllodes with two longitudinal main nerves, the upper of which disappears well short of the apex. Similarly,/!, kenneallyi commonXy has a second, much weaker, longitudinal nerve which disappears in the lower half of the phyllode or, occasionally, fails altogether to develop. In addition to its phyllode nervature and the fact that it is endemic in Northern Territory,,4. latescens differs fromA. kenneallyi in the following ways: branchlets not pruinose, heads cream to pale yellow, petals glabrous to subglabrous, pods 12-15 mm wide and the aril smaller. Moreover, the inflorescences in A. latescens regularly are short (10-20 mm long), axillary racemes, whereas in A. kenneallyi they are generally much longer, sometimes axillary, sometimes terminal, and just as often non-racemose peduncles occur. The paucity of suitable flowering material of the new species makes it difficult to properly determine the nature of its flowering system. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. We take pleasure in naming this species for the collector of most of the material known of it, Kevin F. Kenneally, an authority on the flora of the Kimberleys based on years of collecting and observing the plants of that region. 2. Acacia lanigera and A. venulosa Acacia lanigera Cunn. and A. venulosa Benth. have been variously treated and are considered together here to clarify their obvious close relationship. They are most reliably distinguished on floral characters and, to a lesser extent, vegetatively; pods are also useful but are not known for all the taxa. 66 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) The bracteoles are particularly useful in distinguishing the two species; linear-spathulate with long claws and short, ± rounded (rarely apiculate) laminae in A. venulosa, and se.ssile to sub-sessile with large, acute to acuminate laminae in A. lanigem. The sepals in A. venulosa are free to shortly united at the base, or occasionally, especially specimens from New South Wales, they are free to 1/2-united; in A. lanigem the sepals are 2/3-3/4-united. Pods of ,4. venulosa are straight while those ofVt. lanigem are at least arcuate to once-coiled, insofar as they are known, for we have not seen the pods of var. whanii. While indumentum in the two species is variable there are patterns in density, hair type and orientation, particularly on branchlets and peduncles, which make these useful secondary character for distinguishing the species (see descriptions below). The resin-hairs which are common in A. venulosa but infrequent in A. lanigem are similar to those found in A. oswaldii F. Muell. and many other species. They appear similar to the C-hairs Rutishauser and Sattler (1986) described in A. longipedunculata Pedley. The two species replace each other geographically: A. lanigem occurs in southern Victoria to northern New South Wales; A. venulosa extends from central-eastern New South Wales north to southern Queensland. Key to Taxa of A. lanigem and A. venulosa 1 . Bracteoles with long, linear claws and short, rounded (rarely apiculate) laminae. Sepals free or shortly united at base, occasionally 1/2-united (in some N.S.W. specimens). Pods straight 2.2. A. venulosa 1 . Bracteoles sessile to sub-sessile and with large acute to acuminate laminae. Sepals 2/3-3/4-united. Pods (where known) curved to coiled. 2. Peduncles 6-9 mm long; phyllode gland 0-2 mm above base of blade but often obscured by indumentum; branchlets with dense, ± spreading to sub-appressed hairs 2. lb. A. lanigem var. gmcilipes 2. Peduncles 2-4 mm long, to 5 mm in fruit; phyllode gland mostly 3.5-13 mm above base of blade. 3. Branchlets with ± sparse, clearly appressed hairs; phyllodes usually innocuous to scarcely pungent 2.1c. A. lanigem var. whanii 3. Branchlets with ± dense and spreading hairs; phyllodes sharply pungent 2.1a. A. lanigem var. lanigem 2.1. Acacia lanigera Cunn. in B. Field, Geogr. Mem. New South Wales. 345 (1825) Racosperma lanigerum (Cunn.) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2: 350 (1987). Lectotype (here selected): frequent on rocky barren ranges in interior of New South Wales [Bathurst region, ± September 1 822], A. Cunningham [221] (K, flowering specimen with slip-on label; isolecto; BM, K, PERTH 01507915 - fragment ex K). Paralectotypes: See discussion of typification below. A. lanigemvdx. brachyphylla Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 250 (1926). Possible type: New South Wales, W. Macarthur (K, specimen annotated by Bentham as “lanigera Cunn. var. brevifolia”, see discussion below). R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 67 Illustrations. R. Graham in Curtis’s Bot. Mag., n.s., 3: pi. 2922 (1829); L. Costermans, Nat. Trees Shrubs S.E. Australia 323 (1981); M.H. Simmons, Acac. Australia 1: 199 (1981). Rigid, dense, erect shrubs 1-2 m tall. Branchlets apically angular, becoming terete but ridged, sparsely to densely hairy, the hairs straight to ± crisped and patent to appressed, resin hairs absent or few, old branchlets with obvious stem-projections at nodes after fall of phyllodes. New shoots often ± white- or greyish-woolly. Stipules persistent, narrowly triangular to subulate, 1 -3 mm long, straight, appressed pilose or puberulous. Phyllodes narrowly elliptic, linear-elliptic or linear-oblanceolate, (1 .8)3-5. 5(7) cm long, 3-7(1 1) mm wide, coriaceous, patent to ascending, straight to shallowly recurved, somewhat villose on nerves at first, commonly glabrescent; apex acute to obtuse, sometimes shortly acuminate, mucronate or mucronulate, pungent to innocuous, the mucro brown, rigid, often excentric; pulvinus 0.5-2 mm long; stomata raised (x60 mag.); 3 or 4 main, raised, distant, longitudinal nerves per face, several secondary nerves nearly as strongly raised, anastomoses occasional to frequent; gland one, obvious or inconspicuous, at or near base of blade or up to 1 3 mm above the base, sometimes in a swollen area of adaxial margin of blade. Peduncles 1-4 per axil but copmonly binate, 2-9 mm long, glabrous to moderately hairy; basal peduncular bract almost semicircular, ovate to lanceolate, acute or obtuse, puberulous or pilose, persistent through anthesis, 1 .5-2 mm long; heads globular to subglobular, often distinctly oblongoid in bud, golden, 4. 5-6. 5 mm diam, 5-7 mm long, 20-30-flowered; bracteoles obovate, lanceolate or elliptic, sessile to sub-sessile, the laminae acute to acuminate, about 3 times as long as the claw, pilose, puberulous or glabrous, usually ciliolate, often persistent on receptacle after anthesis. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/4-1/2 as long as petals, 2/3-3/4-united, lobes oblong or triangular, obtuse or acute, puberulous, ciliolate. Petals 1/2-2/3-united, lobes ovate, acute, glabrous, spreading. Ovaiy white- villose. linear, raised over but not or only slightly constricted between seeds, 6-10 cm long, 4-6 mm wide, coriaceous, curved to openly once-coiled, villose- tomentose. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong to widely elliptic, 4.5-5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 1 .5-2 mm thick, dull, dark brown, verruculose; areole 3/4 length of seed; aril terminal, yellow or white. Woolly Wattle, Hairy Wattle. Typification. Although Cunningham listed no collections in the protologue of A. lanigera, he cited the locality, “rocky barren ranges in the interior” [of N.S.W.]; the protologue included characters of both flowers and fruit. Several flowering and fruiting collections, labelled and unlabelled, are involved on a number of herb. K sheets. From study of Cunningham Specimen Lists in the archives at K, we have concluded that Cunningham collected flowering material of A. lanigera in the Bathurst region and northward around September 1 822, to which he gave the number 22 1 ; on a return trip in December of the same year he collected fruiting material for which he used the same collection number. This phenology is borne out by modern collections. Because the lower (flowering) specimen on a herb. Hooker sheet at Kew is annotated (on a slip-on label in Cunningham’s hand) with “Acacia lanigera C” and the locality given in the protologue, we here designate it as the lectotype. This specimen is un-numbered, but it is a very good match for another Kew specimen which has a Cunningham slip- on label that is annotated “221/1822”. The lectotype is therefore assumed to be part of Cunningham’s 221 collection gathered from the Bathurst region around September 1822. The fruiting material on the lectotype sheet is unlabelled, but may well represent the December gathering of the Cunningham 221 collection and is therefore treated as a probable paralectotype. There are duplicates of these two specimens on the other sheets at Kew. The only other specimen of relevance is Cunningham 19 (in flower) which is labelled as having been collected from near Bathurst in July 1823; we have treated this as a paralectotype. Bentham ( 1 864) gives a very odd description of the pods of A. lanigera, odd until one sees one of the other sheets of the species at K which Bentham would have seen. One of these bears two specimens, 68 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) one (lacking a label) which is A. lanigera sensu lectotypico, the other a branchlet and a detached pod valve of A. oswaldii with the following label data: “Acacia lanigera A. Cunn./Lachlan River/New South Wales, May 1817, A. Cunningham 422”. It was this valve that Bentham described as the fruit of A. lanigera. Synonomy. We have not seen specimens, either at K or PR, annotated by Domin as A. lanigera var. brachyphylla', this name was based on a Macarthur collection from N.S.W. However, there is a Macarthur specimen at K, annotated by Bentham as “lanigera Cunn. var. brevifolia”. a name which was never published. As this specimen accords well with Domin’ s very brief protologue and as his epithet “brachyphylla” is the Greek equivalent of Bentham’s “brevifolia”, it is possible that the Macarthur specimen is the type of Domin’s name, even though the author has not annotated the sheet. Affinities. This species has been variously confused with A. venulosa which is indeed closely related but branchlets and peduncles of A. venulosa have many black resin-hairs intermixed with long ones, shorter stipules that have a thickened base, longer pulvini, velvety peduncles, linear-spathulate bracteoles, free or nearly free sepals and straight pods. 2.1a. Acacia lanigera Cunn. var. lanigera Branchlets with dense, ± spreading hairs. Phyllotles narrowly elliptic or linear-elliptic, acute, sometimes shortly acuminate, sharply pungent,{ l .8)3-5.5(7) cm long, 3-7(1 1) mm wide, gland mostly 3.5-13 mm above the pulvinus, sometimes in a swollen area of adaxial margin. Peduncles 2-4 mm long, to 5 mm in fi-uit, glabrous to moderately hairy; heads 6.5 mm diam, 6-7 mm long, globular to sub-globular. Other specimens e.xamined. NEW SOUTH WALES: Bumberry, near Parkes, J.L. Boorman 103858 (NSW); near The Rock, Milton, August 1965, H. Boyd (PERTH 01268228); Black Mountain, 12.8 km W of Queanbeyan, R.H. Cambage 3084 (NSW); 20.8 km from Bathurst on Eremantle road, E.F. Constable 4735 (NSW, PERTH); Bunbiiry [Bumberry] State Eorest, 32 km E of Parkes, E.F. Constable 7296 (NSW, PERTH); Mullions Range, 22.4 km NNE of Orange, R. Coveny 4152 and 4160 (both NSW); 5.3 km SE of Baldry P.O. on Cumnock road, R. Coveny 12086 & P. Hind (NSW); 3. 1 km from centre of Coonabarabran town towards Baradine, N. Hall H78/14 (PERTH); 1 km NE of Trunkey Creek on road to Bathurst, B.R. Maslin 5900 (PERTH); on Kandos-Glen Alice road, VP. McReaddie AC/54 (NSW); Euchareena, H.M.R. Rupp (NSW 22262 1 ); Crokers Range, H. Salasoo (NSW 222602) and T. Tame 1536 (PERTH). VICTORIA: beside Murray Valley Highway at base of north slope of Pine Mountain, M.G. Corrick 5984 (MEL, PERTH). Distribution. Erequent in Parkes-Bathurst areas extending north to Pilliga in New South Wales and south to just inside the Victorian border between Pine Mountain (36° OPS, 147° 49'E) and Mount Pilot near Beechworth (36° 15'S, 146° 40'E). Habitat. Found in open eucalypt forest on shale and granite hills in shallow stony or sandy soils. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering August-October; mature fruits with seed in December. Discussion. A specimen collected from “near a granite hill between Tiltaldra & Walwa, Victoria” {Anonymous, 24 Feb. 1957, NSW 222600) has atypically wide phyllodes (8-1 1 mm) and as such R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 69 resemble those of A. venulosa. However, it is clearly var. lanigera on account of its strongly curved pods. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 2.1b. Acacia lanigera var. gracilipes Benth., FI. Austral. 2; 325 (1864) Lectotype (here selected): Genoa River, Victoria, September 1860, F. Mueller s.n. (K; isolecto: MEL 235214, NSW 222549, PERTH 01507931 - fragment ex K). Branchlets with dense, ± patent to sub-appressed hairs. P/zy/tor/ei’ narrowly elliptic, (1 .8)3. 5-4 cm long, 3-4(6) mm wide, acute, pungent to coarsely pungent; gland 0-2 mm above blade-base, not prominent and commonly obscured by dense indumentum which extends from the pulvinus. Peduncles 6-9 mm long, glabrous; heads about 5 mm diam., globular. Other specimens examined. NEW SOUTH WALES: junction of Imlay Creek and Wallagaraugh River, D.E. Albrecht 3938 (MEL); Yambulla State Forest, Newtons Crossing picnic area, M. Parris 9867 (MEL). VICTORIA: East Gippsland: Genoa River, c. 1 km downstream from the Tasker track crossing, Wangarabell area, D.E. Albrecht 4878 (MEL); upper Genoa River, A.C. Beauglehole 35088 & K. C. Rogers (MEL); Deddick Track, 1 .2 km NW of Mount Joan, 1 3.8 km S Mount Deddick, S.J. Forbes 1 62 (MEL, PERTH); Genoa Gorge, northwest of Genoa, N.A. Wakefield 407 1 (MEL); Genoa Gorge, 4.8 km above township, N.A. Wakefield 5.n.(MEL 1500458); rocky island in Genoa River at Genoa, N.A. Wakefield 5.«.(MEL 235213); Genoa River 0.5 km upstream from Yambulla Creek confluence, N.G. Walsh 585 (MEL 615237); Genoa Gorge, c. 9 km NW of Genoa township, J.H. Willis (MEL 1500456). Distribution. Occurs in a restricted area from near Mountain Creek (south of Mount Deddick) and the Genoa River area in eastern Victoria, and the neighbouring Wallagaraugh River area in New South Wales. Habitat. Usually grows among granite boulders in open forest or shrubland. Typification. Bentham cited no collections in the protologue for this variety but a specimen at Kew from a Mueller collection at the Genoa River, Victoria, is annotated by the author as this variety. We have designated that specimen as the lectotype. Conservation status. IE, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). 2.1c. Acacia lanigera var. whanii (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Pescott, Census Acacia 24 (1914) A. whanii F. Muell. ex Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 386 (1864). Type: near Skipton, Victoria, W. Whan (holo: K; iso: MEL 30577, NSW 222551, PERTH 01507966 - fragment ex K and 01507958 - fragment ex MEL). Branchlets with ± sparse, appressed hairs. Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to linear-oblanceolate, (1. 8)4-5. 5 cm long, 6-7 mm wide, obtuse to sub-acute, usually innocuous to scarcely pungent by a 70 Nuytsia Vo!. 10, No. ) (1995) hard, commonly excentric mucro; gland 4-10 mm above blade-base. Peduncles 2-4 mm long, glabrous to sparsely hairy; heads sub-globular, about 5 mm long and 4.5 mm diam. Other specimens examined. VICTORIA: on the Glenelg Highway, 24 km SW of Ballarat and just E of Linton, T.B. Muir2\4^ (MEL); Glenluce Road, 10 km W of Malmsbury-Daylesford Road junction and c. 5 km S of Glenluce, R.V. Smith 76/43 (PERTH); Ballarat, D.W. Spence (MEL 30574 and 235215); Linton, //BIT (MEL 2352 16); roadside at Basalt, W of Daylesford,///. Willis (MEL 504688, PERTH 01267655). Distribution. Widespread in central Victoria from Skipton northeast to near Bendigo and east to Licola. A single collection made in 1922 labelled ‘Grampians’ requires confirmation. Habitat. Shrubland with scattered trees, as far as known. Variation. The Willis collection cited above is typical of this variety with respect to the branchlet indumentum but the phyllodes are shaped more like those of var. lanigera, as are the pungent phyllode tips. Discussion. In a short paper Mueller (1890: 1 8) noted that A. lanigera “... includes A. venulosa and A. Whanii.” and the sheet at MEL collected July 1889 by D.W. Spence is annotated by Mueller as “Acacia lanigera var. Whanii” in Mueller’s handwriting. It was not until 1914, however, that E.E. Pescott validated the combination in his “A Census of the Genus Acacia in Australia”. This little- known work was privately published by the author (A.B. Court, pers. comm.) but was overlooked by Chapman (1991). It was reviewed in the Gardner’s Chronicle, ser. 3, 105: 205 (1914). Conservation status. IR, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). 2.2. Acacia venulosa Benth., London J. Bot. 1: 366 (1842) A. lanigera var. venulosa (Benth.) C. Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales 162 (1893); A. lanigera var. venulosa (Benth.) F. Muell. ex Maiden, Wattles & wattle-barks 3rd edn, 58, 78 (1906), nom. illeg . ; Racosperma venulosum (Benth.) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2:357(1 987). Type: “Liverpool plains. New Holland. 83 AC. see list 1 829” [label details probably in error, see discussion below] (holo: K, sheet stamped Herbarium Hookerianum 1867; ?iso (labelled Dumaresq River): K - ex Herb. Bentham and ex LINN, PERTH 01469894 - fragment ex K). Illustration. M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 2: 145 (1988); T. Tame, Acac. S.E. Australia 72, fig. 56, pi. 56 (1992). Erect, sparingly branched shrubs 0.5-3 m tall. Bark smooth, grey. Branchlets angular and strongly ribbed at tips, older ones terete and slightly ribbed, indumentum dense but variable, the hairs straight to curved or ± crisped, patent to appressed and with intermixed red-brown to black resin-hairs, phyllode scars more or less projecting. Stipules persistent, triangular with thickened base, about 1 mm long, puberulous. Phyllodes narrowly elliptic, (3)5-9 cm long, 4-15 mm wide, rigid-coriaceous, ascending, straight to somewhat incurved, glabrous or sub-glabrous except margins sometimes with minute ± appressed hairs, black resin-hairs often persistent on phyllode faces; apex obtuse or occasionally acute, mucronate to mucronulate, innocuous to coarsely pungent by indurate mucro; pulvinus 2.5-3 mm long; 3 main nerves per face and numerous secondary nerves raised, anastomoses frequent; gland R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 71 one, distinct, 1-4 mm above blade/pulvinus junction in swollen area of upper margin of blade. Peduncles paired or more commonly in short 2-6-headed racemes with axes to I cm long, 3-10 mm long, indumentum similar to that of the branchlets; hract at base of racemes or base of peduncles caducous to persistent through anthesis, ovate to lanceolate, 2-3.5 mm long, densely puberulous; heads globular, golden, 6-9 mm diam., 30-40-flowered; bracteoles linear-spathulate, the laminae concave, rounded, or rarely minutely apiculate, about 1/2 as long as the linear, slender claws, puberulous and with many red resin-hairs, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2 as long as petals, free or shortly united at base, sometimes to 1/2-united in N.S.W. specimens, linear-spathulate, the tips somewhat cupulate, puberulous and with red resin-hairs, ciliolate. Petals 1/2-2/3-united, glabrous, lobes ovate, acute. Ovary densely white-villose. Pods linear, slightly raised over seeds, to c. 7.5 cm long and 6 mm wide, thinly crustaceous, straight, densely white-villose. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, 4.5 mm long, c. 3 mm wide, the aril terminal. Other specimens examined. QUEENSLAND: Jolly’s Falls near Stanthorpe, I.B. Armitage 787 (PERTH); 36 km NW of Stanthorpe on Amiens Road, M.E. Ballingall 2082 (PERTH); ridge above Mountain Station near Mount Tully Road, 10 km SSE of Stanthorpe, M.E. Ballingall24] 1 (PERTH); Pyramids Road, Girraween National Park, R.S. & R.A. Cowan A-793 (CANB, K, PERTH). NEW SOUTH WALES: Boonoo State Forest E of Tenterfield, M.E. Ballingall 2414 (PERTH); 9.6 km SW of Coaldale towards Copmanhurst, /?. Coveny 2195 (NSW, PERTH); New England Highway, 70.4 km S of Tenterfield, R. Coveny 2247 (NSW, PERTH); Copmanhurst-Coaldale road, near Smiths Creek, T. Tame 1 884 (PERTH); Boonoo Boonoo Falls road NE Tenterfield, T. Tame 2023 (PERTH); 12.8 km S of Wagga Wagga, 19 December 1951, G. Withers (NS'W). Distribution. Most common in the Stanthorpe region of southeast Queensland and adjacent parts of New South Wales; it also occurs further north on the Blackdown Tableland near Blackwater in central Queensland and to the south in the Warrumbungle Range and near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Habitat. Grows in understorey of eucalypt woodland in sandy, gravelly and loam soils on granite hills, occasionally in heathland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers June-November; fruits with mature seeds December-January. Typification. Pedley (1978: 207) cited Cunningham 85 [sphalm “25” in Pedley] collected in May 1 827 from “Barren country lying north of the Dumaresq River, in 29°S” as the holotype of A. venulo.sa. This collection originated from Cunningham’s herbarium and was donated to K in 1862; it comprises a large and a smaller branchlet, the latter with a Cunningham field tag annotated “85/1827”. While the two branchlets described above are undoubtedly part of Cunningham’s original collection of A. venulosa there are reasons to question whether Bentham actually used this material in drawing up the protologue: (1) in the lower right hand corner of the sheet Bentham has written “152 A. venulosa” which was probably added after publication because the “152” is the taxon number under which the species appeared in the original publication; (2) the collecting locality does not agree with that given in the protologue, namely, “Liverpool plains”. Indeed, the only specimen we have seen with the locality given in the protologue and annotated “A. venulosa” in Bentham’s hand, is the one originating from Hooker’s herbarium at K and which we have listed above as the holotype. The specimen is labelled (in an unknown hand): “Acacia clavata’7 83 AC. see list 1829"; this list is in the archives at K, entitled “Kew Collectors. A. Cunningham. Miscellaneous 1816-38 VI. Specimens of plants of NSW sent to Dr. W.J. Hooker 1829”. In referring to number 83 in the list, one finds “Acacia clavata m/s. Allied to A. falciformis and penninenns Decandolle/ this spec® of Acacia is frequent in barren forest-land in the north of Liverpool Plains / flowering in July.” It is unlikely that Cunningham could have related 72 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) the material of A. venulosa to either of the listed species, for they are extremely unlike A. venulosa. Consequently, we conclude that this label is probably wrongly attached to this specimen, but this does not alter its status as holotype. The Cunningham 85/1827 specimens, plus the specimen stamped Herbarium Benthamianum, mounted on the same sheet, are regarded as probable isotypes, even though they are said to have been collected from north of the Dumaresque River. Affinities. Closely related to A. lanigera var. lanigera (with which it has often been merged as a variety) which lacks black resin-hairs on the branchlets; its bracteoles are sessile or nearly so; its sepals are at least two-thirds united and the pod curved to coiled. Discussion. Bentham (1842: 367) described A. venulosa var. lanata based on Cunningham 91 and 98, collected July 1827; later he wrote on the sheet bearing Cunningham 98: “A. ixiophylla Benth. var. / (A. venulosa B lanata Benth. in Lond. Jour.)”. Both specimens represent the same taxon and do indeed appear to be very young material of A. ixiophylla with somewhat more obtuse than usual, smaller phyllodes. Conservation status. Neither rare nor endangered. 3. The “Acacia subternata Group” At present there are three species in this “Group” (A. delicatula Tind., A. manipularis Cowan & Maslin^p. nov. and A. siihternataF. Muell.), all very similar at first glance but differing substantially from each other. They have many characteristics in common: (1) resinous branchlets; (2) minute stipules; (3) fasciculate, terete or sub-terete phyllodes; (4) solitary, elongate peduncles bearing globular heads of pentamerous flowers having the sepals and petals joined to varying degrees among themselves; (5) flat, woody pods with a raised, longitudinally oblique, ± reticulate nervation originating from only one of the thickened margins; and (6) longitudinal to obliquely arranged seeds, having a large areole and a terminal, conic aril. The following key sets out some of the distinctions among the three species comprising this “Group”. Key to taxa of “A. subternata Group” (only A. manipularis is described in this paper) 1 . Youngest branchlets terete and obscurely ribbed. Phyllodes 20-30 mm long, terete. Bracteole laminae short-acute. Petals 1 -nerve 3. A. manipularis 1 . Youngest branchlets angled by prominent ribs. Phyllodes less than 20 mm long. 2. Phyllodes terete to subterete, 7-18 mm long, mostly 0.3-0.4 mm wide. Bracteole laminae long-acuminate. Petals 1 -nerved A. delicatula 2. Phyllodes subterete to flat, 4-14 mm long, mostly 0.5-0.7 mm wide. Bracteole laminae short-acute to apiculate. Petals finely striate (central nerve often the most obvious) A. subternata 3. Acacia manipularis Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 0.75-1 m altus, ramulis teretibus, glabris, verruculosis, resinosis. Stipulae caducae, plus minusve 0.5 mm longae, saepe in resina absconditae. Phyllodia filiformia, teretia, fasciculata, 2-6 in quoque fasciculo, mucronulata, 20-30 mm longa, 0.5 mm diametro, flexibilia, plerumque patentia et R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 73 inclinata, glabra, nervis obscuris, ± 16, glande minuta, interdum nulla, ad 7 mm supra pulvinam. Pedunculi solitarii, 20-25 mm long!, resinosi; capitula globularia, aurea, 6 mm diametro, circa 38-noribus, bracteolis peltatis, stipitibus longis, laminis ovatis, acutis, papillatis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala longitudine 2/3 petali partes aequantia, linearia, l/3-I/2-connata glabra, lobis apicaliter incurvatis. Petala 3/4-connata, partibus discretis concavis, patentibus, glabris, uninervata. Legumina anguste oblanceolata, plana, contiacta ad basem et apicem, nec elevata supra semina nec constricta inter semina, ad 5.5 cm longa, 5-6 mm lata, lignosa, recta, longitudinaliter elevato-reticulata, glabra, resinosa. marginibus incrassatis, verruculosis. Semina obliqua, oblongo-elliptica, 4-5 mm longa, 2 mm lata, 1.2 mm crassitie, nitido-brunnea, areola magna, arillo terminal!, parvo, conico-pileato. Typus: Tableland Station, Kimberley Region [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons]. Western Australia, 27 July 1959, M. Lazarides 6398 (holo: PERTH 00150819; iso; DNA, NSW). Low, spreading, viscid shrub 0.75-1 m tall, branching from base, Branchlets slightly angular at first, soon terete, obscurely ribbed, glabrous, verruculose, resinous. Stipules often obscured by resin- masses, caducous, ±- 0.5 mm long. Phyllodes filiform, terete, fasciculate, 2-6 in each fascicle, 20-30 mm long, 0.5 mm diam., soft, flexible, patent to inclined, straight to slightly curved, glabrous, very finely longitudinally wrinkled when dry; apex mucronulate; pulvinus distinct, not wrinkled transversely, ± 0.5 mm long; apparently c. 16-nerved but nerves not or scarcely evident superficially; gland minute, sometimes lacking, to 7 mm above blade base. Peduncles solitary, 20-25 mm long, glabrous, resinous; heads globular, golden, 6 mm diam., c. 38-flowered; bracteoles peltate, the claws long, slender, the laminae perpendicular to claw and ovate and acute. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 2/3 as long as petals, linear, membranous, 1/3-1/2-united, obtuse apex incurved, glabrous. Petals 3/4-united, free portions concave, spreading, acute, glabrous, uninerved. Pods narrowly oblanceolate, flat, tapering to both ends, neither raised over nor constricted between seeds, to 5.5 cm long, 5-6 mm wide, woody, straight, reticulated with an open, irregular net of longitudinally oblique, raised nerves originating from only one margin, glabrous, strongly resinous- viscid, tan-coloured, dehiscing elastically from apex, the margins thickened, verruculose. Seeds obliquely arranged in pod and separated from each other by woody ridges, oblong-elliptic, 4-5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 1 .2 mm thick, glossy-brown; areole nearly as long and wide as seed; aril a small terminal conic cap. Other specimen examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mount House Station [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons], J.S. Beard 4199 (PERTH). Distribution. Known only from Mount House and Tableland Stations in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia. Habitat. The type is recorded as co-dominant with Melaleuca sp. and Eucalyptus brevifolia over Plectrachne pungens in scrub. The Mount House Station specimen was collected from a shale plateau. No other information is available. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering material with mature pods collected in July. Affinities. The three species of the “A. siibternata Group” are closely related and all have a similar appearance; they differ in details of the branchlet ribbing, phyllode and peduncle length, bracteole morphology, petal nervation and pod size, among others. Acacia inanipiilaris and A. delicatula have uni-nerved petals while those of A. siibternata are striate but with commonly the central nerve the most pronounced, Acacia manipularis is nearest A. delicatula which has ± crenulate-ridged branchlets. 74 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) smaller phyllodes (7-18 mm long and mostly 0.3-0.4 mm wide), shorter peduncles (mostly 8-15 mm long), proportionately shorter sepals (c. 1/3 as long as petals), much less united petals, long-acuminate bracteoles, smaller pods (1. 2-4.4 cm x 3-4 mm) and seeds with an elongate-conic aril. Discussion. Bentham (in Mueller 1859: 124) commenting on Mueller’s A. subternata remarked: “The arrangement of the phyllodia (should it prove constant) is singular; they are neither verticillate nor solitary at each node ....; but in most cases in fascicles of 2, 3, or 4 from each node The arrangement of the phyllodes remains the best indicator of the group: from small protuberances (reduced branchlets?), often clothed in a resin-mass, arise several slender, terete phyllodes, each with its minute stipules. From the same knobs arise either fully developed branchlets, solitary peduncles or both. In Tindale and Kodela (1992: 59) A. manipularis is referred to under an earlier manuscript name that we had applied to this species, namely, “A. manipula”. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The new species takes its name from the fascicled arrangement of the phyllodes; the name is an adjectival form of manipulus, Latin for handful, sheaf or bundle. 4. Acacia retivenea F. Muell., Fragm. 3: 128 (1863) Racosperma retiveneum (F. Muell.) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2: 354 (1987). Type: Short’s Range, [Northern Territory], J. McdouaU Stuart (holo: MEL; iso: K). Erect, open, divaricately branching shrubs 1-3 m tall, rarely shorter. Bark dark brown or grey, exfoliating in large irregular Hakes or smooth. Branchlets terete, crispate-villose or tomentose, rarely glabrous. Stipules more or less persistent, ovate to broadly ovate, rounded or cordate basally, 2-2.5 mm long, 1 .5-5 mm wide, rather thick, acute, villose or tomentose. Phyllodes ± inequilaterally elliptic to widely elliptic, ovate or sub-rotund, 3.5-12 cm long, 2.8-5. 8 cm wide, rigid, present only on upper part of branchlets, patent, upper margin more or less crenate, crispate-villose or tomentose, rarely glabrous and lucid, grey-green, sometimes glaucous; apex rounded to retuse with small, excentric mucro, the base rounded to sub-cordate; pulvinus 3-5 mm long, villose or tomentose; blade with 3 or 4, distant, strongly raised main nerves and numerous, prominent anastamoses, marginal nerves prominent; gland large, round or widely elliptic, at top of pulvinus, secondary glands present in adaxial margin crenations. Inflorescences initiated on new shoots with solitary peduncles arising from within axil of developing phyllodes, the phyllodes normally mature by anthesis but occasionally are suppressed so that raceme-like structures occur; peduncles 17-40 mm long, furrowed, crispate-villose to tomentose; heads globular, bright to dull deep golden-yellow, 10 mm diam., 71-105-flowered, densely congested; bracteoles exserted or not, fusiform to spathulate, the claws sometimes marginate, the laminae flat, thin, acute to acuminate or fleshy and more or less semicircular in cross-section, acute to often apiculate, sub-appressed villose and ciliate to sparsely puberulous or glabrous. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1 /3-3/4 as long as petals, 1/2-3/4-united, sub-appressed villose to puberulous. Petals 2/3-3/4-united. sub- appressed villose to puberulous. Ovary densely pilose-sericeous to glabrous. Pods oblong, rounded at both ends, often apiculate, shallowly biconvex or flat and raised only over the seeds, 25-62 mm long, 12-20 mm wide, deflexed, thin- to thick-coriaceous or hard-crustaceous, straight or one margin curved, densely tomentose to crispate-villose, sometimes arachnoid-villose, sparsely hairy to sub- R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 75 glabrous at maturity in subsp. clandestina, reticulately nerved (nerves obscured by indumentum in subsp. relivenea), margins thickened, stipe 4-8 mm long, transversely arranged in pods, widely elliptic to oblong, 4.8-6 mm long, 3.2-4 mm wide, 2 mm thick, compressed, dull, brown-black; pleurogram U-shaped, open at hilar end; areole 2.5-4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; aril small, terminal, scalloped marginally. Nomenclature. The specific epithet has often been spelled “retivenia", beginning with Bentham, but Mueller clearly intended the spelling adopted here, for he used this spelling in the protologue and in his subsequent publications. In our opinion, this is not one of the class of orthographic errors which may be corrected under the provisions of the “International Code of Botanical Nomenclature”. The species is widespread in inland northern Australia and comprised of two well-marked, mostly allopatric entities, which we consider distinct subspecies. The species is related to/\. auricoma Maslin which has stellate pubescence on branchlets and inflorescences. Key to subspecies of A. retivenea 1. Stipules 2-3 x 1.5-2 mm. Phyllodes widely elliptic to sub-rotund, densely tomentose (± felty to touch), rarely glabrous. Bracteole laminae thick and fleshy, exserted in bud. Pods very densely tomentose (unknown for glabrous variant) 4a. subsp. retivenea 1 . Stipules 3-5.5 x 3-5 mm. Phyllodes elliptic to ovate, indumentum normally less dense than above. Bracteole laminae thin, flat, not conspicuously exserted in bud. Pods sparsely hairy to sub-glabrous at maturity (indumentum denser when young) 4b. subsp. clandestina 4a. Acacia retivenea F. Muell. subsp. retivenea Illustration. M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 2: 139 (1988). Stipules 2-3 mm long, 1 .5-2 mm wide, ovate, rounded basally, densely tomentose. Phyllodes widely elliptic to sub-rotund, (35)40-50(65) mm long, (28)35-45(58) mm wide, densely tomentose, rarely glabrous and lucid; apex retuse, mucronulate with excentric mucro. Peduncles (17)20-30(32) mm long, tomentose; bracteoles conspicuously exserted in young buds, the laminae ellipsoid, often apiculate, thick, fleshy, ± semicircular in cross-section, glabrous or sparsely puberulous, the claws sometimes marginate. Sepals 2/3-3/4 as long as petals, 1/2-united, the lobes puberulous. Petals 2/3-united, sub-appressed villose, especially on lobes. Ovary densely pilose-sericeous. Pod often obtuse-apiculate, 25-40 mm long, 12-16 mm wide, more or less coriaceous, flat but raised over seeds, one margin curved, very densely tomentose. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Macnamara Creek, 32 km N of Glenroy Homestead, T.E.H. Aplin 5110 (K, MEL, PERTH); 22 km N of Nicholson Homestead, T.E.H. Aplin 5393 (BRI, MPU, PERTH, TLF); Fitzroy Crossing, Mrs Guppy iS (PERTH); between new Halls Creek and Carolyn Pool on site of Duncan Highway, K.F. Kenneally 7228 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); Durack Range, 24 km E of Tableland Station, D.E. Symon 10294 (PERTH); King Leopold Range, Inglis Gap, I.R. Telford 6447 (PERTH); SW of Lake Argyle, main CRA Exploration Camp, A.S. Weston 12247 (PERTH). 76 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) NORTHERN TERRITORY; Barkly Tableland, between Frewena and Queensland border, A.S. Cudmore s.n. (DNA 28590); 12 miles [19.3 kml S of Renner Springs, N. Forde 27 (PERTH); 28 miles [44.8 km] S of Wave Hill, G. Chippendale 2193 (PERTH); 70 miles [1 12.6 km] W of Gallipoli Station. R.A. Peny 1540 (PERTH); 6 km SSE of turn-off to “Helen Springs” on Stuart Highway, L. Thomson EXT 35 (PERTH). QUEENSLAND: Settlement Creek, L.J. Brass 353 (PERTH); Lake Moondarra, Mount Isa, R. Coveny 479 (PERTH); 96.5 km ESE of Camooweal Township, R.A. Perry 762 (PERTH). Distribution. Northern Western Au.stralia from Fitzroy Crossing and King Leopold Range (c. 1 30 km north-northwest of Fitzroy Crossing) in the Kimberley area, across the Northern Territory to the Mount Isa area in northwest Queensland with outliers near Pine Creek (c. 1 90 km southeast of Darwin) and Reynolds Range (c. 150 km north-northwest of Alice Springs) in the Northern Territory and Torrens Creek in Queensland. Habitat. Grows in shallow sandy soil and rocky ground in open low woodland and open shrubland, often associated with Eucalyptus brevifolia and Triodia. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from late May to early August; pods with mature seeds have been collected in February, August and October. Variation. Although this subspecies is normally characterized by the dense, conspicuous indumentum on the phyllodes, a glabrous form has been recorded in a few localities in Queensland (e.g. Perry 162) and Northern Territory (e.g. Cudmore s.n., DNA 28590). According to Pedley (1978: 207) the glabrous variant in Queensland occurs between Camooweal and Mount Isa and is sympatric with the normal form. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 4b. Acacia retivenea subsp. clandestina Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. Stipulae 3-5.5 mm longae, 3-5 mm latae, late ovatae, basaliter cordatae, suberecto-villosae sed marginaliter glabrescentes. Phyllodia elliptica ad ovata, ad apicem rotundata mucronulataque, villosa vel crispato-villosa, plerumque (45)50-65(120) mm longa et 25-40(55) mm lata. Pedunculi 20-40 mm longi, dense crispato-villosi vel villosi; bracteolae spathulatae, inconspicue exsertae, laminis tenuibus, ovatis, acuminatis, dense subappresso-villosis ciliatisque. Legumina oblonga, biconvexa, mucronulata, 43-62 mm longa, 15-20 mm lata, duro-crustacea, recta, parce vel sparse villosa, crispato-villosa vel arachnoideo-villosa. Typus: upper Rudall River area, Western Australia, 5 September \91l,B.R. Maslin2\21 (holo: PERTH 00701874; iso; BRI, K, NSW, US). Stipules3-5.5 mm long, 3-5 mm wide, broadly ovate, cordate basally, suberect-villose, marginally glabrescent, Phyllodes elliptic to ovate, (45)50-65(120) mm long, 25-40(55) mm wide, villose to crispate-villose, indumentum normally less dense than in subsp. retivenea; apex rounded, mucronulate. Peduncles 20-40 mm long, densely crispate-villose or villose; bracteoles spathulate, inconspicuously exserted with the laminae appressed to surface of young buds, the laminae ovate, acuminate, thin, flat, densely sub-appressed villose and ciliate, the claws slender. Sepals 2/3-3/4 as long as petals, the lobes sub-appressed villose, 1/2-united. Petals 2/3-united, the lobes (at least) sub-appressed villose. Pods R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 77 oblong, shallowly biconvex, mucronulate, 43-62 mm long, 15-20 mm wide, hard-crustaceous, straight, crispate-villose, villose or arachnoid-villose, sparsely hairy to sub-glabrous at maturity. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Christmas Pool, D. Goble-Garrett 297 (PERTH); 1 .5 km E of Ardjorie Homestead ruins, Edgar Ranges, K.F. Kenneally 9 1 57 (NSW, PERTH); 16 km NE of Bungle Bungle Outcamp, 5 km S of Mining Camp “Playground”, K.F. Kenneally 9215 (BRI, PERTH); Old Woodbrook Station (probably introduced a.s ornamental), B. Koch 204 (PERTH); Little Sandy Desert, 22° 50' S, 121° 54’ E, A.S. Mitchell 593 (PERTH); 10 km N of Mount Traine, c. 1 00 km ENE of Nullagine, K. Newbey 1 0347 (Karratha, MO, PERTH); 8 km S of Quarry Hill, c. 1 30 km WSW of Tom Price, K. Newbey 10759 (Kairatha, PERTH); Googhenama Creek, R.D. Royce 1 806 (PERTH); Barlee Range, Henry River, R.D. Royce 6548 (PERTH); 29 km E of Ranger’s Residence, outside Hamersley Range National Park, I. Solomon 1 6 (BRI, CANB, PERTH); Rudall River district, P.G. Wilson 10432 (CANB, DNA, PERTH). Distribution. Scattered occurrence across inland Pilbara from near Quarry Hill (c. 125 km west of Tom Price) and Barlee Range (c. 190 km southwest of Tom Price) east to Rudall River National Park and Paterson Range on the western edge of the Great Sandy Desert and also in the southern Kimberley area in the Edgar Ranges (c. 110-190 km southeast of Broome) and Bungle Bungle National Park (c. 120 km northeast of Halls Creek), Western Australia. Habitat. Usually grows in rocky creek beds and on hillsides in tall shrubland. In the Pilbara often associated with Grevillea wickhamii and in the Kimberley with Acacia tumida or Pindan. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens collected from April to October; pods with mature seeds not yet collected. Affinities. Subspecies clandestina is most easily distinguished from the typical subspecies by its less pubescent phyllodes, larger stipules, thin bracteoles which are appressed to the surface of young buds and larger, less hairy pods. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The name for the subspecies is from clande.stinus, Latin for secret or hidden, in reference to the long period the entity has gone unrecognized as a distinct taxon. Miscellaneous lectotypifications and notes on species of northern and eastern Australia 1. Acacia cognata Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 260 (1926), non Maiden & Blakely (1928) Based on the following. A. subporosa F. Muell. var. linearis Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 382 (1864). Lectotype (here selected); Twofold Bay, F. Mueller s.n. (K, lower right-hand flowering specimen on sheet stamped Herb. Hookerianum 1867; isolecto: PERTH 01504738 - fragment ex K). Paralectotypes: (1) left-hand specimen on lectotype sheet (K - in immature bud). (2) upper right-hand flowering specimen on lectotype sheet (K) and a probable duplicate on MEL 1528769 and PERTH 01504746 (fragment ex K). 78 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Typification. The type sheet of A. cognata at Herb. K supports three specimens which may possibly have been taken from three separate plants and consequently a lectotype has been selected from among them. According to the specimen label, these gatherings were made by F. Mueller at Twofold Bay on the south coast of New South Wales. The lower right-hand specimen has been designated as the lectotype because it best cbaracterizes the taxon; that is, its phyllodes are very narrow, 3-nerved with the mid-nerve more prominent than the flanking nerves, its peduncles are short (3-4 mm long), and the heads have about 12 flowers. The left-hand specimen (paralectotype) is in immature bud and has phyllode nervature identical to that of the lectotype. The uppermost specimen (paralectotype) differs slightly from the other two in that its peduncles are 7-8 mm long and the phyllodes are up to 5-nerved (due to the coalescence of longitudinally trending lateral nerves); these two characters are within the range of variation of 4. subporosa. Affinities. Acacia cognata is very closely related to A. subporosa but is usually distinguished by its narrower, more elongate, usually 3-nerved phyllodes, usually shorter peduncles, fewer flowers per head and slightly narrower pods (see key below). Indeed, when Mueller described/l. subporosa from material which he collected at Twofold Bay, he included within its circumscription specimens that were later segregated by Bentham as A. subporosa var. linearis, the basionym of A. cognata Domin. The fact that Mueller did not consider the taxa sufficiently distinct in the field to warrant their separation or even mention the two forms in his protologue, attests to their close relationship. The key below reveals that the quantitative differences between these two species are not great and that in some cases the ranges of variation overlap. Judging from herbarium material we have seen, other localities, apart from Twofold Bay, where the two may possibly be sympatric or parapatric are around Bega (New South Wales) and Mallacoota (Victoria) and it is suggested that field studies in these area may be instructive in trying to determine to what extent (if at all) the two taxa intergrade. Court (pers. comm.) has indicated that sympatry between the two is very limited. In the absence of personally conducted field work, we have follow'ed recent authors, for example Court (1973) and Costermans (1981), in recognizing A. cognata as a distinct species. Key to A. cognata and A. subporosa 1. Phyllodes narrowly linear to linear-elliptic, 1.5-3. 5 mm wide (rarely some to 4.5 mm wide), l:w = 20-70, normally 3-nerved per face with the midrib clearly more evident than the very obscure flanking nerves (phyllodes often appearing 1 -nerved per face). Peduncles usually 3-6 mm long. Flowers 10-17 per head. Pods 2-4 mm wide A. cognata 1. Phyllodes very narrowly elliptic, 4-1 1 mm wide, l:w = 8-18, 2-5 main nerves per face with several weaker longitudinal nerves between. Peduncles 6-1 1 mm long. Flowers 20-25 per head. Pods 5 mm wide A. subporosa (see # 9 below) 2. Acacia excelsa Benth. in T.L. Mitchell, Journ. Exped. Trop. Australia 225 (1848) Racosperma excelsum (Benth.) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2: 348 (1987). Lectotype (here selected): subtropical New Holland [east bank of Nogoa River opposite Martins Range, Queensland], 6 July 1846, T. Mitchell “187” (K, lower branchlet on sheet). Paralectotypes: (1) subtropical New Holland, July 1 846, T. Mitchell “17 1” (K - mounted with lectotype). (2) subtropical Australia, T. Mitchell, “7 Bidwill” (K). R,S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 79 daintreeana F. Muell,, Fragm. 4: 6 (1863); A. excelsa var. daintreeana (F. Muell.) Domin (as 'daintreana'), Biblioth. Bot. 89: 264 (1926). T: Clarke River, Queensland, R. Daintree (holo: MEL, Pedley 1978: 212; iso: K). A. excelsa var. glaucescens Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 263 (1926). T: Dividing Range near Jericho, Queensland, 1910, K. Domin (holo: PR, n.y., fide Pedley 1978: 212). A. excelsa var. polyphleba Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 263 (1926). T: savanna forest near Pentland, Queensland, 1910, K. Domin (holo: PR, n.v.,fide Pedley 1978: 212).. A. excelsa var. typica Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 263 (1926), norn. inval. Typification. There are two sheets of A. excelsa at herb. K that support specimens considered to be types. One sheet has two gatherings: the upper three twigs bear a Mitchell label with number 171 and July 1 846 as the collecting date; the branchlet below has a similar label with the number 1 87 on it, as well as the complete date of collection - 6 July 1 846. Pedley (1978) listed the latter collection as the holotype but we consider it better, and in keeping with the Code, to treat it as the lectotype. We here formalize that alternative. The second sheet also supports a Mitchell gathering with the annotation “7 Bidwill” appearing on the label. 3. Acacia farinosa Lindley in T.L. Mitchell, Three Exped. Australia, ed. 1 , 2: 145 (1838) Type: interior of New Holland [near Lake Charm, Victoria], 22 June 1836, T. Mitchell Exped. “189” (holo: CGE; iso: K, PERTH 01 170961 - fragment ex K). Type locality. No details were given in the protologue with regard to the precise place, date or number of the type collection; those given above come from the holotype (collection number and date) and from Mitchell’s map and journal of the expedition on which the species was found. Lake Charm is not given on his map but his location on 22 June was certainly in that vicinity. Morphological notes. The morphology of the inflorescence structures is most interesting and unusual. Each peduncle has a subtending basal bract and at or near the peduncle-apex there is an involucre- like ring of five ovate, acute, thickened structures which we have tentatively considered to be sterile bracteoles, i.e. bracteoles without a flower in their axils. All the flowers in the head have fertile bracteoles and these are quite different in shape and consistency. This ring of sterile bracteoles seems homologous with those in the same location in A. dawsonii, although in the latter species, the members of the ring subtend individual flowers because the heads usually have only four flowers and consequently no other bracteoles; in rare instances [R. Carolin 7268 from Curragh, west of Trunkey Creek Ridges above Abercrombie River, N.S.W.-PERTH) A. dawsonii has heads with 6-10 flowers, each one subtended by ordinary (for this group of species) spathulate bracteoles, in addition to the thick-fleshy, semicirculai' ones at the base of the head. An involucre of bracts joined margin-to-margin on the peduncles is one of the characteristics distinguishing Acacia subgenus Acacia', we do not, however, interpret these bracteolar structures as an homologous feature, at least not without much more evidence than we have. 80 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) 4. Acacia hemignosta F. Muell., J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3; 134 (1859) Racosperma hemignostum (F. Muell.) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2: 349 (1987). Lectotype (here selected): “Point Pearce”, mouth of Victoria River, Northern Territory, September 1855, F. Mueller 87 (K; isolecto: MEL, NSW). Paralectotype; [Albert River], Gulf of Carpentaria, [Queensland], F. Mueller 34 (K, MEL). A. cloncurrensis Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 262 (1926). Type: near Cloncurry, Queensland, 1910, K. Domin (holo: PR, mv., /(i7e Pedley 1978: 219). Typification. In the protologue of A. hemignosta Mueller cited two of his own collections (no. 87, a flowering specimen from the Victoria River, N.T., selected above as lectotype and no. 34, fruiting specimen from the Albert River, Qld, cited above as a paralectotype). Mueller also listed two other localities (but did not cite specimens), namely, “Gilbert River, Roper River”; we have not found Mueller material of A. hemignosta from either of these localities at K or MEL. Although the specimens of Mueller 87 and 34 represent the same taxon it seems desirable to select one as a lectotype. Ordinarily, the material in the author’s own herbarium would be a logical choice but the two type sheets at MEL (sheet nos. 1 17093 and 117094) bear only fragments and on the latter sheet there are bits of both Mueller 34 and 87 mixed. Consequently , we have selected the K sheet as lectotype because (1) it is a complete specimen; (2) its label gives a more precise type-locality; and (3) the sheet bears Bentham’s annotation and it was he who shepherded Mueller’s manuscript through to publication, often adding significantly to it by way of notes and observations. “Point Pearce” on the lectotype label cannot be located on present-day maps but the MEL 1 17094 sheet gives “Ad ostium fluminis Victoriae” which appears in the protologue and is in the Northern Territory; both Mueller 87 and 34 have Mueller’s handwriting on the labels and his collection numbers. 5. Acacia latescens Benth., London J. Bot. 1: 380 (1842) Racosperma latescens (Benth.) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2: 571 (1988). Lectotype (see Pedley 1974: 2): May Day Island, Van Dieman Gulf, (Northern Territory], May 1818, A. Cunningham 295 (K; iso: PERTH 00975559 - fragment ex K; ?isolecto: A, NY). A. dineura F. Muell., J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 130 (1859) Type; upper Roper River, Northern Territory, F. Mueller M (holo: MEL; iso; K, PERTH 00975567 - fragment ex MEL). A. dissoneura F. Muell., S. Sci. Rec. 2(7): 151 (1882). Syntype (1): vicinity of Port Darwin, Northern Territory, F. Schultz 336 (MEL, K, PERTH 00748943 - fragment ex MEL). Syntype (2): near Liverpool River, Northern Territory, B. Gulliver (MEL, PERTH 00975540 - fragment ex MEL). Typification. Although the protologue of A. dineura lists both the Roper and Limmen Bight rivers, the holotype at MEL is annotated with only the Roper River. In our experience it is sometimes difficult to reconcile fully the extant collections with what appears to be cited material in Mueller publications. Morphology. As is the case with several other of the northern, tropical species, the filaments of A. latescens are joined irregularly to a level of about the base of the lobes of the corolla. Note. Mueller (1859: 144) described Acacia latescens var. grandifnlia, based on his collection no. 35 which was gathered from between the Dawson and Burnett Rivers. In the absence of having seen R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 1 1 this type it is not possible to determine with certainty the taxon to which this name should be applied. As the Dawson and Burnett Rivers are in Queensland it is not likely that this name is synonymous with A. latescens (which is endemic in the Northern Territory) as implied by G. Bentham in an editorial footnote to the protologue. 6. Acacia leucophylla Lindley in T.L. Mitchell, Three Exped. Australia, ed. 1,2: 12 (1838), non Colvill ex Sweet, Hort. Brit. 1st edn, 101 (1826), nom. nud. Lectotype (here selected): interior of New Holland [western side of Byrne’s Creek near junction with LachlanRiver, New South Wales], 24 March 1836, T. M/fc/ze//“2r’(CGE;isolecto: K). Paralectotype: subtropical New Holland, T. Mitchell “139” (CGE). Typification. In spite of the fact that this name is a synonym of A. pendula Cunn. ex Don, lectotypification seems worthwhile. There is no collection mentioned in the protologue and there are parts of two collections on what is regarded as the type sheet at CGE (see discussion of type locality under A. farinosa above). The specimen selected here as lectotype is annotated “A. leucophylla m” by Lindley and appears to have been the more important source of data in the protologue. 7. Acacia sericata Cunn. ex Benth., London J. Bot. 1 : 380 (1842) Nomenclature. The binomial [Acacia] “sericata Ait. (ex Loudon)” in Steudel’s Nomenclator Botanicus, ed. 2 (1840) antedates Bentham’ s use of the name; both names appear in A. Chapman (1991), Australian Plant Name Index, and must be taken into account. In spite of giving “N. Holl.” as the place of origin, Steudel cites three Acacia names in synonomy, all of which apply to African species and two apparently to the same taxon (J.Ross, pers. comm,); these could be taken as representing an indirect reference to earlier validly published taxa and consequently A. sericata Ait. ex Steudel could be considered as having been validated thereby. However, the entry is so illogical that one may suspect some printing defect: it is possible that the three African species names should have been printed under tbe following entry [A.] seyat Delile, also an African species. If that had been Steudel’s intent, then there is no problem with Bentham’s name because the Steudel name is a nomen nudum, just as is ]A.l simsii Ait. ex Steudel which appears as the fifth entry below sericata in the same column. We conclude that a printing error occurred and that both A. sericata Ait. ex Steudel and A. simsii Ait. ex Steudel are nomina nuda. 8. Acacia praelongata F. Muell., Australas. Chem. and Druggist 6: 32 (1883) Lectotype (here selected): Adams Bay, Northern Territory, A.C. Hulls (MEL; isolecto: K, PERTH 01209221 - fragment ex MEL). Paralectotype: south of Port Darwin (near the Elizabeth River), Northern Territory, July 1883, P.H.M. Foelsche (MEL, PERTH 12109213 - fragment ex MEL). ?Paralectotype: “Ac. praelongata. Pt. Darwin” (in Mueller's hand; no other details) (MEL, PERTH 01209213 - fragment ex MEL). Typification. The Hulls and Foelsche collections were cited in the protologue and they represent the same taxon. We have chosen as lectotype the one from Adams Bay which is more typical morphologically and is equally serviceable as a nomenclatural type. 82 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) 9. Acacia subporosa F. Muell., Fragm. 4; 5 (1863); also in PI. Indig. 2: 24 (1863), nom. invalid., not effectively published (fide A.B. Court et al. 1994) Lectotype (here selected): Twofold Bay, [N.S.W.], F. Mueller s.n. (MEL 1000861, left-hand flowering specimen on sheet; isolecto; K). Paralectotypes; (1) right-hand specimen (in bud) on lectotype sheet. (2) Twofold Bay, “Bark grey and brown variegated”, F. Mueller s.n. (MEL 1000857); (3) “Forest gullies near Twofold Bay, Arbor 40 ft.”, September [1 8]60, F. Mueller s.n. (MEL 1000860). Typification. The specimens comprising the original material of A. subporosa are all referrable to this species but appear to represent at least three separate gatherings. The lectotype (in flower) and the paralectotype (in immature bud) which are both mounted on MEL 1000861 , have broader phyllodes than the other two paralectotypes, i.e. 7-9 mm wide compared with 4-7 mm wide. Affinities. Acacia subporosa is most closely allied to A. cognata. The differences between the two species are not great and our review of existing herbarium material suggests that they may intergrade (see A. cognata above for discussion). 10. Acacia trinervata Sieber ex DC., Prodr. 2: 451 (Nov. 1825) Type: [New South Wales, 1 823], F. W. Sieber 445 (holo; G-DC; iso: A, BM, FI, K. MO, NY. PERTH 01175637 - fragment ex G-DC, PR, STRAS, W). A. taxifulia Cunn. in B. Field, Geogr. Mem. N.S.W. 344 (Apr. 1825), non Willd. (1806); A. cunninghamii Sweet, Hort. Brit. ed. 2, 164 (1830); also Don, Gen. Hist. 2: 404 (1832) and E. Steudel, Nomencl. Bot. ed. 2, 1: 4 (1840), all based on A. taxifolia Cunn. in Field. Type: eastern ascent of Blue Mountains, New South Wales, October 1822, A. Cunningham 215 (holo: K; iso: A, BM, K). A. triner\’ata Sieber ex DC. var. brevifolia Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 325 (1864), synon. nov. Lectotype (here selected): Blue Mountains, [New South Wales], no collector or date indicated (K, see discussion below). A. trinervata var. angustifolia Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 325 (1864), synon. nov.; A. elongata var. angustifolia (Benth.) Maiden &Betche in J.H.Maiden, Wattles & wattle-barks 3rd edn, 58, 73 (1906), as to name only (see discussion below). T: Blue Mtns., N.S.W., Miss [C.L.W.] Atkinson; holo: K; iso: NSW, fragment ex K, PERTH, fragment ex K. [A. genistifolia auct. non Link: G. Bentham, London J. Bot. 1: 335 (1842).] Nomenclature and synonomy. Although Cunningham’s A. taxifolia is the earliest name for this species, the name had been used by Willdenow in 1806 and the next available name is A. trinen’ata. Apparently independently, R. Sweet, G. Don and E.J. Steudel recognized the homonomy and each renamed A. taxifolia as A. cunninghamii. When Bentham (1864; 325) described A. trinervata. var. brevifolia he provided only meagre descriptive details (“Phyllodia 1/2 to 3/4 in. long.”), cited no specimens and listedA. genistifolia Link in synonymy. Bentham (1842: 336) had earlier expressed uncertainty about the identity of A. genistifolia, but this species is now known to be quite different from A. trinervata being easily R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 11 83 distinguished by its 4-merous flowers and its commonly quadrangular phyllodes (or if flat then only 1 -nerved per face);i4. trinervata has 5-merous flowers and flat phyllodes which are strongly 2-3-nerved per face. There is a Herb. Hooker specimen at K bearing the notation “A. trinervata var. brevifolia” in Bentham’s hand but no indication of who made the collection or when, only that it came from the Blue Mountains (in N.S.W.). The specimen is with immature pods and has phyllodes that are at the lower end of the length range for /4. trinervataheing 1 1-18 mm (1/2-3/4 inch) long. It is this specimen which was cited by Bentham (1842: 336) under A. genistifolia and was almost certainly before him when A. trinervata var. brevifolia was described. It is therefore regarded as a syntype of var. brevifolia (the type of A. genistifolia is the other syntype) and we have selected it as the lectotype of the name. Bentham’s var. angustifolia is a form with somewhat narrow phyllodes and small heads but within the range of variation for the species. The type at herb. Kew is labelled by Mueller as “Acacia trinervata var. tenuifolia” but this varietal name was not used when Bentham described the taxon. Maiden (1906) was unclear as to the application of Bentham’s name (presumably since he had not seen the type) and incorrectly assumed it to be the same as the plant that occurred “in swampy localities in the Blue Mountains”. Therefore, Maiden and Betche’s combination under A. elongata is actually a misapplication of the name (Maiden and Blakely 1927: 190 subsequently described A. elongata var. angustifolia sensu Maiden & Betche as a new species, A. ptychoclada). Acknowledgements There are multitudinous tasks of all sorts that have to be completed in the course of the preparation of such a paper and those undertaken by technical staff greatly relieve the researcher and are deeply appreciated. In this instance we had the competent technical assistance of Diana Corbyn and Karina Knight and we thank them sincerely. The work was undertaken with some financial support from the Australian Biological Resources Study. We are especially indebted to Tim Entwistle for his assistance with our treatment of the A. lanigera and A. venulosa complex. References Bentham, G. (1842). Notes on Mimoseae, with a Synopsis of Species. London J. Bot. 1: 318-528. Bentham, G. (1 864). "Flora Australiensi.s” vol. 2. (Lovell Reeve: London.) Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. (1988). “Rare or Threatened Australian Plants”. Au.stralian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Special Publication |14]. Chapman, A.D. (1991). "Australian Plant Name Index. A-C. Australian Flora and Fauna Scries Number 12”. (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.) Costermans, L. (1981). “Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia”. (Rigby Publishers Ltd.) Court, A.B., Cowan, R.S. & Maslin, B.R. (1994). Mueller’s “The Plants Indigenous to the Colony of Victoria” - Is volume 2 effectively published? Nuytsia 9: 315-318. Court, A.B. in J.H. Willis (1973). “ A Handbook to Plants in Victoria” vol. 2, (Melbourne University Press.) Cowan. R.S. & Ma.slin, B.R ( 1995). Acacia Miscellany 10. New taxa and notes on previously desribed taxa of Acarm, mostly seetion Juliflorae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), in Western Australia. Nuytsia 10: 15-62. Maiden. J.H. (1906). W.attles and Wattle-barks" edn. 3, 103 pp. (Govt. Printer: Sydney.) Maiden, J.H. & Blakely, W.F. (1927). Descriptions of fifteen new acacias and notes on several other species. J. and Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 60: 171-196, pi, Xlll-XVlIl. 84 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Maslin, B.R, & Cowan, R.S. (in press). What type of type? Australian Sy.stcmatic Botany Newsletter. Mueller. F. (1859). Contributiones ad Acaciarum Australiac Cognitioneni. J. Proc, Linn. Soc. Bot. 3(11): 1 14-148. Mueller, F. (1890). De.seriptions of Hitherto Unrecorded Australian Plants. Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, ser. 2, 5: 15-22. Pedley, L. (1974). Notes on Acacia, chiefly from Queensland, IV. Contr. Qd Herb. No. 15: 1-27. Pedley, L. (1975). Revision of the extra- Australian species o'i Acacia subg. Heterophyllum. Contr. Qd Herb. No. 18: 1-24. Pedley, L. (1978). A revision of Acacia Mill, in Queensland. Austrobaileya 1: 75-234. Rutishauser, R. & R. Saltier (1986). Architecture and development of the phyllode-stipule whorls of Acacia longipedunculata: controversial inteipretations and continuum approach, Canadian J. Bot. 64(9): 1987-2019. Steudel, E.G. (1840). “Nomenclator botanicus” 2nd cdn. (J.G, Cottac: Stuttgart.) Tindale, M.U. & Kodela, P.G. ( 1 992). New species of Acacia (Ftibaceae, Mimosoideae) from tropica! Australia. Telopea 5(1): 53-66. Willdenow, C.L. (1806). “ Carol! a Linne Species Plantarium” 4th ed. Vol. 4. (G.C. Nauck: Berlin.) Nuytsia 10 (1): 85-101 (1995) 85 Acacia Miscellany 12. Acacia myrtifolia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae) and its allies in Western Australia B.R. Maslin Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Abstract B.R. Maslin. Acacia Miscellany 12. Acacia myrtifolia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae) and its allies in Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 (1): 85-101 (1995). Five new species and one new subspecies of Acacia from Western Australia are described, namely, A. clydonophora Maslin, A. disticha Maslin, A. durabilis Maslin, A. heterochroa Maslin (comprising subsp. heterochroa and subsp. robertii Maslin) andA. pygmaea Maslin. These taxa, together with four previously described species, A. celastrifolia Benth., A. myrtifolia, A. nerx’osa DC. and A. ohovata Benth. comprise the informal “Acacia myrtifolia Group”. A key to the species of this Group is presented. Brief notes on the variation in the Western Australian populations of A. myrtifolia are given. Acacia pawlikowskyana Ohlend. is treated as a synonym of A. myrtifolia (this name was formerly treated as a synonym of A. celastrifolia). Acacia acutifolia Maiden & Blakely is also regarded as conspecific with A. myrtifolia-, it is likely that the type information published by Maiden and Blakely for this name was erroneous. Introduction The main purpose of this paper is to provide names for five new species and one new subspecies of Acacia from Western Australian to facilitate their inclusion in the forthcoming “Flora of Australia” treatment of the genus. These taxa, which all belong to Acacia section Phyllodineae DC., are related to A. myrtifolia (Sm.) Willd. and together with three other previously described close relatives comprise the informal, here-defined “Acacia myrtifolia Group”. Species included in this Group are A. celastrifoliaBcnlh.,A. clydonophora MtisYinsp. nov.,A. f/rv/zc/ja Maslin s/7. nov.,A. diirahilis MasVin sp. nov., A. heterochroa Maslin sp. nov. (comprising subsp. heterochroa and subsp, robertii Maslin subsp. nov.), A. myrtifolia (Sm.) Willd., A. nen’osa DC., A. obovata Benth. and A. pygmaea Maslin sp. nov. Species of the “Acacia myrtifolia Group” have a very characteristic floral structure. The relatively large, 4-merous flowers are neither numerous (2-12-flowered) nor densely aggregated in the heads. For the most part the flowers are glabrous, however, in A. myrtifolia the ovary is tomentulose. The gamosepalous calyx is truncate or only very slightly dissected (into rounded or broadly triangular lobes and these are separated by wide, very shallow sinuses). The apical rim of the calyx is not thickened and the calyx tube is nerveless and broad-based. In most species the ovary possesses a short yet distinct 86 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) gynophore (inA. clydonophora, A. disticha, A. durabilis, A. heterochroa mdA.pygmaeaXhe. gynophore is 0,5-1 mm long; in the other species of the Group th*" gynophore is shorter or absent). To accommodate the very large numbers of stamens (which are among the most numerous of any species in the subgenus) the torus is commonly enlarged and it sometimes is supported on a distinct yet very short gynandrophore (e.g. A. pygmaea). Judging from Figures 2-4 in Robbertse (1974) the African species of subgenus Aculeiferum possess some of the characters described here for members of the "Acacia myrtifolia Group”. Another seemingly unique feature for subgenus Phyllodineae is the multiple ovaries which are consistently found in A. celastrifolia (very rarely /I. durabilis and A. pygmaea have 2 ovaries in a few flowers of the heads). As discussed by Guinet et al. ( 1 980) A. gilbertii Meissner, which is traditionally placed in section Pulchellae (Benth.) Taub. on account of its bipinnate foliage, is closely related to A. myrtifolia and A. celastrifolia. Acacia urophyUa Benth. and A. scalpelliformis Meissner, which also have 4-merous flowers, are not far removed from the Group even though they have prominently 2-4-nerved phyllodes. Indeed, in the classification proposed by Vassal (1972) A. myrtifolia and A. urophyUa were included in the one infrageneric category, namely, section Pulchelloidea subsection Magniscutellae (this subsection also included the phyllodinous species A. extenra Bindley and A. willdenowianaH.l^iWendl. (syn. A. diptera Bindley) as well as three species of section Pulchellae, A. drummondii Bindley, A. pentadenia Bindley and A. pulchella R. Br.). With the exception of A. myrtifolia itself the members of the "Acacia myrtifolia Group” are confined to temperate and semi-arid areas of southwest Western Australia. Acacia myrtifolia occurs usually in coastal and near-coastal areas throughout Australia except Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. Key to taxa of the “Acacia myrtifolia Group” (Numbered taxa are described in the present work below.) 1 . Stipules persistent, 2- 1 0 mm long; pod margins not undulate 2 la. Stipules early caducous OR if persistent then less than 1 mm long; pod margins undulate or not 4 2. Branchlets not pruinose, often hairy A. obovata 2a. Branchlets pruinose, glabrous 3 3. Phyllodes elliptic, 15-30 mm wide with l:w = 1.5-2; seeds longitudinal in the pods 3. A. durabilis 3a. Phyllodes narrowly elliptic, 4-12 mm wide with l:w = 3-6; seeds transverse in the pods A. nervosa 4. Phyllodes 2-nerved (the second nerve commonly less prominent than midrib); pod margins not undulate 5 4a. Phyllodes prominently 1 -nerved; pod margins conspicuously undulat 6 5. Heads 3-4-flowered; peduncles 4-7 mm long; branchlets prominently ribbed (not flattened) 6. A. pygmaea 5a. Heads 6-7-flowered; peduncles 7-11 mm long; branchlets clearly flattened with the phyllodes distichously arranged 2. A. disticha B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 87 6. Ovaries 3-5 per flower, glabrous; phyllode gland prominent (1-2 mm long), 5-20 mm above pulvinus; heads bright light-golden, normally 2-3-flowered; branchlets pruinose A. celastrifoUa 6a. Ovaries 1 per flower (rarely a few flowers with 2), tomentulose or glabrous 7 7. Phyllodes with l:w = 1-2, gland inconspicuous (mostly 0.2-0. 3 mm long), 0-10 mm above pulvinus; heads 5-12-flowered, bright lemon yellow; ovary glabrous 8 7a. Phyllodes with l:w = 2 or more, gland prominent (1-2 mm long, rarely 0.5 mm in A. myrtifolia); heads cream to creamy yellow, rarely bright lemon yellow (in A. myrtifolia), 2-12-flowered 9 8. Peduncles all or mostly single within axils of phyllodes; heads 8-12-flowered; phyllodes ± .symmetrically elliptic to almost circular, some tending obovate or ovate 4a. A. heterochroa subsp. heterochroa 8a. Peduncles all or mostly in racemes 1-3.5 cm long; heads 5-6-flowered; phyllodes inaequilaterally obtriangular to obdeltate 4b. A. heterochroa subsp. robertii 9. Ovary glabrous; heads 5-7-flowered; gland 0-4(8) mm above pulvinus 1. A. clydonophora 9a. Ovary tomentulose; heads normally 2-5-flowered; gland 5-20 mm above pulvinus 5. A. myrtifolia Taxonomy 1. Acacia clydonophora Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex glaber apertus 0.7- 1.5 m altus, ramulis manifeste striato-costatis. Phyllodia plus minusve obliqua, elliptica ad anguste elliptica sed aliqua quasi obovata ad oblanceolata et interdum lanceolata, ad basem inaequalia et ad apicem obtuso-mucronata ad acuta mucro indurato, 4-7(12) cm longa, 1 .5-3 cm lata, 2-4(5. 5)-plo longiora quam latiora, recta vel falcato-recurvata, leviter undulata, glauca ad subglauca, costa prominentia et normaliter cum margine abaxiale ad basem brevi-connivente, nervis marginalibus prominentibus .sed nervis lateralibus obscuris, glande prominente et supra pulvinum 0-4(8) mm. Racemi (0.2)0.5-3 cm longi, 3- 1 4 capitulis, pedunculis 5-7 mm longis; capitula globularia, crernea ad cremeo-lutea et sublaxe 5-7-floribus, Flores 4-meri, calyce gamosepalo 1/5- 1/3 petalis obtegentia, truncato ad slnuolate lobato. Legumina linearia ad 7 cm longa et 4-5 mm lata, Crustacea ad sublignea, erecta, curvata, nervo marginale crasso et undulato. Semina longitudinalia, anguste oblonga, 5-6 mm longa, nitida, atro-brunnea, arillo terminale. Typus: summit of Mount Lesueur, Western Australia, 13 October 1974, A. A George s.n. (holo: PERTH 00694290; iso: K, PERTH 01469371 - mounted with holotype). 88 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Erect, openly branched, single-stemmed shrubs 0.7-1 .5 m tall. Bark smooth, normally grey at base of stems and reddish brown or sometimes orange on branches and branchlets. Branches and branchlets terete, striate (ribs prominent and yellow or red brown, extending to old wood), glabrous, occasionally pruinose. New shoots red-brown at first but becoming purplish and lightly pruinose. Stipules early caducous. Phyllodes variable in shape and size, ± asymmetric with the adaxial margin normally more convex than the abaxial, elliptic to narrowly elliptic with some tending to obovate to oblanceolate, sometimes lanceolate, northern populations 4-7 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide (to 9.5 x4 cm on juvenile plants), to 12 cm long on southern populations, length to width ratio 2-4(5. 5), straight, sometimes falcately recurved, patent to inclined, ± thinly coriaceous, slightly undulate when dry, glabrous, glaucous to sub-glaucous; midrib prominent, yellow to reddish, normally concurrent with the lower margin for 2-7 mm above the pulvinus; marginal nen’es prominent, yellow or reddish; lateral nerves openly reticulate, normally obscure when dry (scarcely evident when fresh); apex obtuse-mucronate to acute, the mucro c. 1 mm long, thickened indurate and very coarsely pungent when dry; base unequal; pulvinus 2-4.5 mm long, terete, sometimes slightly dilated at the base, obscurely longitudinally ridged. Gland prominent, situated on the upper margin of the phyllode at distal end of the pulvinus or up to 1-4 mm (rarely to 8 ram) above it, oblong, 1.2-2 mm long, shallowly concave, the lip yellowish or red-brow'n and sometimes slightly raised, the orifice distinct, dark brown and slit-like. Inflorescences glabrous, predominantly racemose, rarely interspersed with a few simple, axillary heads, racemes solitary within phyllode axils towards the ends of the branchlets, (2)5-33 mm long, 3- 14-headed, the axes slightly tlexuose and prominently ribbed. Peduncles 5-7 mm long; basal peduncular bracts absent at anthesis. Heads cream to creamy yellow, globular, sub-loosely 5-7-flowered. Bracteales sub- persistent, ovate, c. 1 mm long, sessile, concave, glabrous, brown. Flowers 4-merous, glabrous, torus slightly expanded; buds obtuse, quite large. Calyx 1/5-1/3 the length of the corolla, gamosepalous, ± truncate to very shallowly divided into broadly triangular lobes separated by sinuses, the lobes not thickened; calyx tube nerveless and broad-based. Petals divided almost to the base, elliptic, 3 x 1.5 mm, not reflexed at anthesis. very finely striate (the nerves submerged), apices thickened and bluntly acute. Ovaiy 1 per flower, deflexed at apex of a very short gynophore, glabrous. Stamens very numerous. Pods linear, to 7 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, sometimes ± tw'isted when young, erect, crustaceous to sub-woody, curved, glabrous, not reticulate, scarcely raised over the seeds, not or very slightly constricted between the seeds, thickened, apex acute and slightly uncinate; marginal nerves thick and undulate. Seeds longitudinal in the pod, narrowly oblong, 5-6 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, shiny, dark brown; areole open, 3.5-4 x 1 mm; funicle c. 1 mm long, abruptly expanded into an thick, short, curved aril situated at base of seed. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Boonanarring Brook (proposed Nature Reserve), off Wannamal W Road, Gingin,/./. Alford236 (PERTH); Mount Lesueur,/5. fiea«/7820 (PERTH); Cataby, Reserve 27995, D.K. Coiighran 0105(A) (PERTH); NE of Mount Lesueur. R. J. Cranfield 1232 (CANB, PERTH); Barletts Spring, 25 km N of Gingin, G.J. Keighety 8040 (CANB, PERTH); 4 km E of Brand Highway on Yandan Road, c. 2.7 km S of Cataby, B.R. Muslin 5358 (PERTH); proposed Mount Lesueur Nature Reserve, c. 3 km due NE of Mount Lesueur, B.R. Maslin 5361, 5362 and 5362A (all PERTH); 5.9 km E along Cadda Road from junction with Munbinea Road. S. Patrick and^. Brown SP 13 17 (30° 23'S, 1 15° I7'E); [E of] Jurien Bay.R.D. Royce 7708 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Irwin and Darling Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps H50-9; H50-10,I4). Principally found at the northern end of the Gairdner Range in the vicinity of Mount Lesueur (c. 105 km due south-southeast of Dongara), also with scattered populations occurring to the southeast from near Cataby (c. 45 km due west of Moora) to tbe vicinity of Gingin, and an occurrence east of Jurien Bay. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 89 Habitat. Laterite, or sand or loam over laterite on ridges or in gullies, in low Eucalyptus woodland or high open shrubland with an understorey of low open heath. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from April to November during which time developing pods are also present. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in October. Variation. The phyllodes on specimens from the northern end of the range at Mount Lesueur are elliptic to narrowly elliptic with some tending to obovate or oblanceolate, 4-7 cm long, 1 .5-3 cm wide (to 9.5 X 4 cm on juvenile plants) and ± straight. The southern populations, however, may differ slightly in that the phyllodes are commonly longer (to 1 2 cm) and falcately recurved, and sometimes lanceolate. Affinities. The new species is most closely related to A. celastrifolia and A. niyrtifolia but is distinguished by a combination of the following characters: shrubs to 1 .5 m tall; ovary glabrous and one per flower; heads 5-7-flowered; gland 0-4(8) mm above pulvinus. Acacia niyrtifolia is a shrub 0.5-3 m tall, its flowers have a single, tomentulose ovary, heads normally 2-5-flowered and glands 5-20 mm above the pulvinus; A. celastrifolia is a shrub 1-3 m tall with 3-5, glabrous ovaries per flower, normally 2-3-flowered heads and glands 5-20 mm above the pulvinus, it is further distinguished by its distinctly pruinose branchlets and its racemes which are normally 3-12 cm long with 10-20, bright light-golden heads. Although A. clydonophorahn'i similar edaphic preferences to A. celastrifolia and is geographically close to this species, it appears to be more closely related to A. niyrtifolia (especially to the short phyllode forms of A. niyrtifolia that occur along the south coast of Western Australia to the east of Albany and extending into eastern AusU'alia). Indeed it could be argued lha.tA.clydonopliora should be treated as an infraspecific taxon under A. niyrtifolia. However, A. niyrtifolia as currently defined in Western Australia is very variable and in the light of an analysis of the complex variation patterns the rank attributed to A. clydonophora may need to be re-assessed. Acacia niyrtifolia occurs much further south than A. clydonophora. Conseiyation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority Four - Rare Taxa. See end of this issue. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the Greek klydon - wave, and phoras - bearing or fruitful, and alludes to the characteristic undulate margins of the pods. 2. Acacia disticha Maslin, sp. nov. Frutices glabri, 1(2) m alti. Ramuli superiores applanati, phylodiis distichis, demum spiraliter dipositis, ellipticis, leviter asymmetricis, 15-27(33) x 4- 1 1 ( 1 5) mm, in ramulis superioribus usque 43 X 22 mm. non pungentia, l-nervia, nero secundario minus distincto; glans non prominens. Inflorescentiae normaliter racemosae, raro simplices. Pedunculi 7-1 1 mm longi. Florum capitula globularia, cremea, 6-7-tlora. Flores 4-meri. Calyx c. 1/4 corollae longitudinis attingens, gamosepalus. Petala elliptica, c. 3 mm longa. Ovarium singulum, glabrum. Legumen anguste oblongum, ad 40 x 5 mm, subnutans, margine incrassatum, non undulatum. Semina (submatura) in legumine longitudinalia, obloidea, 4 x 2.5 mm, brunnea. Typus: N end of Middle Mount Barren, Fitzgerald River National Park, 34° 03'S, 1 19° 40'E, Western Australia, 20 December 1970, A.S. George 1 0588(A) (holo: PERTH 00195715; iso: CANB, K, NY). 90 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Shrubs normally to c. 1 m tall but reaching 2 m in sheltered situations, spreading, medium-dense, dividing just above ground level into 3-5 principal, rigid branches, phyllodes concentrated towards the ends of the branches and normally shed with age leaving the branches marked with scars on raised leaf bases. Bark on old wood light grey, more or less smooth. Branchlets flattened towards their apices but becoming terete with age, finely nerved, glabrous, apically greenish, not pruinose. Stipules frequently early caducous and leaving a dark brown scar at the base of the phyllode, depressed ovate to shallowly triangular, 0.5-0.7 mm long, c. 1 mm wide, glabrous, dark brown. Phyllodes distichous on the flattened, terminal portion of the branchlets but spirally arranged with age as the branchlet becomes terete, elliptic, slightly asymmetric, size variable even on a single specimen, 15-27(33) mm long and 4-11(15) mm wide with length to width ratio 2-4 on upper part of branchlets, seemingly normally shed with age but if persistent can reach 43 mm long and 22 mm wide lower down, not or very slightly undulate, thinly coriaceous, glabrous, bright medium greeiymidrib sometimes concurrent with the lower margin for a short distance above the pulvinus, curved upwards at about 1/3 the distance from the base, a minor second longitudinal nerve arising from the pulvinus on the adaxial side of the midrib and trending towards the apex but not reaching it, lateral nerves openly reticulate but not readily seen on small phyllodes; rjpea: obtuse, minutely mucronulate; base slightly unequal; pulvinus c. 1 mm long, light brown. Gland not prominent, situated on upper margin of phyllode 2-5 mm above the pulvinus, rarely absent, concave, not raised, oblong, 0.4- 1(1. 7) mm long, 0.2-0. 5 mm wide. Inflorescences glabrous, racemose but the racemes interspersed with a few simple heads, rarely the entire plant possessing simple inflorescences; raceme axes normally c. 4 mm long, 2(3)-headed, growing out as a leafy shoot with simple inflorescences sometimes arising within the axils of the young phyllodes. Peduncles 7-1 1 mm long; basal peduncular bracts deciduous or sometimes persistent, triangular, concave, c. 1 mm long, sessile, glabrous, brown. Heads globular, bright cream, loosely 6- 7-flowered. firacfeo/es' triangular to elliptic, acute, c. 1 mm long, concave, sessile, glabrous. Flowers 4-merous, glabrous, stamens and ovaries situated on a swollen torus; flower buds ellipsoid, obtuse. Calyx c. 1/4 the length of the corolla, gamosepalous, ± truncate to very shallowly divided into broadly triangular lobes separated by sinuses, the lobes not thickened; calyx tube nerveless and broad-based. Petals elliptic, c. 3 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, free to base and not prominently reflexed at anthesis, very slightly thickened at apex, greenish yellow. Ovary I per flower, glabrous, deflexed at apex of a slender gynophore c. 1 mm long. Stamens very numerous. Pods (few .seen) narrowly oblong, to 4 cm long, 5 mm wide, sub-nutant (the basal stipe ± deflexed), crustaceous to sub-woody, very slightly curved, glabrous, dark brown, not reticulate, very slightly twisted, very slightly raised over but not constricted between seeds, apex acute; margins not undulate, thickened. Seeds (almost mature) longitudinal in the pod within shallow depressions separated by transverse partitions, oblongoid but truncate along edge adjacent to the aril, 4 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, rather compressed ( 1 .5 mm thick), slightly shiny, medium brown, with an obscure, dull, dark brown peripheral band; pleurogram very obscure, with a narrow opening towards the hilum; areole c. 3 mm long and 1.3 mm wide; funicle filiform, 1.5 mm long, scarcely dilated at the attachment to the pod, expanded into a once folded, yellowish (when dry dark brown near the hilum) aril. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Corackerup Creek, February 1934, E.T. Bailey s.n. (PERTH 00195642); creek line in tributary of Steere River, c. halfway between Kundip Mine and Elverdton Mine, Ravensthorpe Range, G. Craig 201 1 (PERTH); Ravensthorpe district, November 1944, CA. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 00195693, 00195707); I km N of Twin Bay, from SW slopes of Thumb Peak, Fitzgerald River National Park, B.R. Maslin 5553 (CANB, K, MO, PERTH); Thumb Peak, Fitzgerald River National Park, K. Newbey 2726 (PERTH) and 3419 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH); 2 km SW of Thumb Peak, K. Newbey 4894 (AD, CBG, NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Eyre Botanical District (1:250,000 maps 150-12; 151-5). Principally confined to the Fitzgerald River National Park (southwest of Ravensthorpe) in the B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 91 vicinity of Thumb Peak and Mid Mount Barren. Only two gatherings are known outside the Park, from Corackerup Creek (c. 34° IPS, 1 1 8° 44'E), some 100 km to the west-southwest and from between Kundip Mine and Elverdton Mine, Ravensthorpe Range (c. 33° 50'S, 120° 09'E) some 40 km to the northeast. Habitat. Grows along watercourses in well drained loamy clay or variably drained sand and silt. Sometimes occurs in rocky loam or limestone soil. Common in tall shrubland where it dominates the low shrub stratum, also frequent in patches Eucalyptus eremophila closed scrub but is very rare in E. lehnianii low open forest. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from September to February during which time very young pods may also be present on the plants. It is uncertain whether one or two flowering flushes occur within this period. Pods with near-mature seeds have been collected in early November. Variation. The phyllodes vary considerably in size, even on a single specimen. On upper branchlets they are generally 15-27 mm long and 4-1 1 mm wide, whereas lower down they may reach 43 mm long and 22 mm wide. These largest phyllodes are seemingly readily shed because they are often not present on herbarium specimens. Affinites. The new species is perhaps most closely related to A. pygmaea which is restricted to the Wongan Hills, some 450 km to the north of the range of A. disticha. These species have very similar phyllodes (except that they are not distichously arranged in A. pygmaea) and similar carpological features. Acacia pygmaea, however, is a dwarf sub-shrub 0.3-0. 5(0.7) m tall with ribbed, non-flattened branchlets, normally non-racemose inflorescences and 3-4-flowered, white heads on peduncles 4-7 mm long. Acacia disticha is sometimes sympatric with A. myrtifolia which is readily distinguished by its prominently ribbed, angular branchlets (not clearly flattened as in 4. disticha), non-distichous, thicker, prominently 1 -nerved phyllodes with a more prominent gland, and longer pods with clearly undulate margins, Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora; Priority Two - Poorly Known Taxa. See end of this issue. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the Latin distichus, arranged in two opposite rows, and refers to the phyllotaxy. The upper portion of the branchlets are flattened with the phyllodes arranged in two vertical ranks along each margin. With age the branchlets become terete and the phyllodes spirally arranged. This distichous arrangement is otherwise unknown in Acacia except for some members of section Alatae eg. A. alata R. Br. and A. glaucoptera Benth. 3. Acacia durabilis Maslin, sp. nov. Frutices glabri, 0.7-2 m alti. Ramuli teretes, prominenter costati, pruinosi. Stipulae persistentes, (5)7-10(12) mm longi. Phyllodia elliptica, leviter asymmetrica, 1.5-4 cm longa, 1,5-3 cm lata, ± undulata, prominenter uninervia; glans prominens, Inflorescentia plerumque simplex, Pedunculi ( 1 2)17-25(27) mm longi, Florum capitula globularia, 6-9-tIora. Flores 4-meri. Calyx 1/4-1/3 corollae longitudinis attingens, gamosepalus, ± truncatus. Petala c, 4 mm longa. Ovarium solitarium, glabrum, Legumina anguste oblonga, ad 6 cm longa, 6-8 mm lata, torta, margine non undulata, Semina in legumina longitudinalia, c, 4 mm longa, 2,5-3 mm lata, nitentia, atrobrunnea; funiculus ad insertionem leguminis dilatatus. 92 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) Typus: near Mount Desmond, c. 1 1 km S of Ravensthorpe, Western Australia, 20 December 1971 , B.R. Maslin 2566 (holo: PERTH 00693669; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH 00150703). Spreading, moderately open, single-stemmed 0.7-2 m tall. smooth, green or brownish, striate. Branchlets terete, pruinose between the prominent reddish brown ribs, glabrous. Stipules persistent, prominent, (5)7-10(12) mm long, indurate, coarsely pungent, basally thickened, patent to ascending, ± straight. Phyllodes elliptic, slightly asymmetric, size variable, normally 1 .5-4 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide with length to width ratio 1.5-2, rather coriaceous, ± crowded towards ends of branches, slightly to moderately undulate, glabrous, olive green; midrib prominent, raised when dry, yellowish, marginal nerves thickened and pale red but turning yellowish with age; lateral nerves openly anastomosing, evident on large phyllodes but less so on smaller ones, diverging at an angle of c. 60“ from the midrib but the lowermost one on the adaxial side of the midrib often diverging at c. 30°; apex obtuse, with a distinct yet minute, deflexed, subulate, coarsely pungent, apical mucro c. I mm long. Gland prominent, situated on the adaxial margin of the phyllode 2-4 mm above the base, circular or oblong, 1-1.9 mm long, lip surrounding a prominent but shallow orifice. Inflorescences simple, axillary, 1(2) per node, very rarely interspersed with 1 -2-headed racemes having axes 1-3 mm long. Peduncles (12)1 7-25(27) mm long, glabrous, often light red when young but turning yellow with age, slightly dilated into a sub-capitate receptacle; basal peduncular bracts absent. Heads globular, cream to pale yellow, 6-9-flowered, flowers not densely arranged. Bracteoles somewhat deciduous, ovate, concave, c. 1 mm long, sessile, glabrous, light brown. Flowers 4-merous, glabrous, stamens and ovaries situated on a swollen hemispherical torus; flower buds obtuse, obtusely quadrangular. Calyx 1/4-1/3 the length of the corolla, gamosepalous, ± truncate to very shallowly divided into rounded or broadly triangular lobes separated by wide sinuses, the lobes not thickened; calyx tube nerveless and broad- based. Petals elliptic, acute, c. 4 mm long, 2 mm wide, free to base at anthesis, thickened towards the apex, very obscurely I-nerved. Ovary'X (veryrarely2)pertlower, glabrous, slightly deflexed at apex of a gynophore c. 1 mm long. Stamens very numerous. Pods narrowly oblong, to 6 cm long and 6- 8 mm wide, with up to 9 seeds, crustaceous to sub-woody, wholly or partially spirally twisted once or twice, glabrous, dark reddish brown, not reticulate, very slightly raised over the seeds, insignificantly constricted between the seeds, apex abruptly acute and ± uncinate, basal stipe to 3 mm long; margins not undulate, thickened. Seeds longitudinal in the pod, in distinct depressions separated by transverse partitions, ellipsoid but truncate along edge adjacent to aril, c. 4 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, slightly compressed (c. 2 mm thick), glossy, brown; pleurogram obscure, nanowed and open towards the hilum; areole c. 2.5 x 1.5 mm; funicle c. 1 mm long, filiform and yellowish but flattened, dark brown and dilated at attachment to pod, this flattened portion often remaining attached at pod valve following dehiscence, distally expanded into a small yellowish aril which is dark brownish near the hilum. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Ravensthorpe Range, behind Elverdton mine on lower track to Kundip, I December 198L£^.A7. (PERTH 00150274); 11 kniESE of Ravensthorpe, 0.5 km E of Mount Desmond, M.D. Crisp 4954 (CBG, PERTH); Marra crossing overPallinup River on Highway No. 1, October 1971, Superintendent DaumA ^.u. (PERTH 00150649); Jerdacuttup River, C.A. Gardner 13755 (PERTH); E side of Mount Desmond, c. 1 miles [11.2 km] ESE of Ravensthorpe, A. 5. George 3659 (NSW, PERTH); Mount Desmond, 10 km S of Ravensthorpe, B.R. Maslin 4050 (PERTH); Kundip, K. Newbey 2494 (K, PERTH); Ravensthorpe Range, 7 km NE of Ravensthorpe, K.R. Newbey 1 1799 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest We.stern Australia in the Eyre Botanical District (1:250,000 maps T50-12; 151-5). Most common in the Ravensthorpe Range from Mount Desmond south to Kundip also with a collection 7 km northeast of Ravensthorpe (c. 12 km northwest of Mount Desmond). A single collection has been made from the Jerdacuttup River (c. 10 km east of Ravensthorpe Range) and also B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 93 from the Pallinup River (c. 150 km due southwest of Ravensthorpe Range). The provenance of this last collection needs confirmation. Habitat. Moderately exposed ridges or hillsides or occasionally near creeks in rocky or lateritic clay or sandy clay in open mallee scrub or low woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from October to April at which time developing pods are sometimes present. It is not known whether there are one or two flowering flushes within this period. Mature pods have been collected in November and December. Characteristic features. The species is recognized by its prominently ribbed, terete branchlets (the ribs remaining as obvious reddish brown striae on the old stems), prominent, persistent, indurate stipules, large, cream heads on long axillary peduncles, twisted pods with non-undulate margins and its funicle which is dilated at the point of attachment to the pod. Affinities. Resembling A. heterochroa subsp. heterochroa with which it is sympatric in the Ravensthorpe Range. The distinguishing features of these two species are given below under subsp. heterochroa. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority Three - Poorly Known Taxa. See end of this issue. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the Latin durabilis - lasting or enduring, and refers to the persistent stipules which are prominent on the plant, especially where phyllodes have shed. 4. Acacia heterochroa Maslin, sp. nov. Frutices glabri, 0.5- 1.5(2) m alti. Cortex pallide griseus. Surculi juveniles pallide rubri. Ramuli teretes. Phyllodia 10-35 mm longa, (8)10-25(29) mm lata, ± undulata, 1-nervia, ± pungentia; glans obsoleta. Inllorescentiae simplices vel racemosae. Pedunculi 5-25 mm longi, basi ebracteati. Florum capitula globularia, citrina, 5-12-tlora. Flos 4-merus; alabastra magna. Calyx l/5-t/4 corollae longitudinis attingens, gamosepalus, ± truncatus. Petala 5 mm longa. Ovarium singulum, glabrum. Legumina linearia, ad 6.5 cm longa, 3-4 mm lata, erecta, margine manifeste undulata. Semina (subsp. heterochroa) in legumine longitudinalia, obloidea, 3.5-4 mm longa, 1.8-2. 2 mm lata, nitida, pallide brunnea. Typus: northern end of Ravensthorpe Range SE of Mount Short, Western Australia, 30 August 1980, B.R. Maslin 4766 (holo: PERTH 00196150; iso; CANS, K, PERTH 00196169). Shrubs 0.5-1 .5(2) m tall, spindly and open or sometimes dense. BarkWghi grey, slightly roughened. Branchlets glabrous, normally ± lightly pruinose, terete, ribbed, the ribs most evident immediately below insertion of the phyllodes. New shoots light red, frequently present at anthesis. Stipules early caducous, present only on youngest new shoots. Phyllodes elliptic with some tending obovate or ovate, sometimes broadly elliptic or almost circular (subsp. heterochroa), or inaequilaterally obtriangular to obdeltate (subsp. robertii), 10-35 mm long, (8)10-25(29) mm wide, length to width ratio (1)1. 2-1 .8, ± coriaceous, ± undulate (especially when dry), glabrous, grey-green to sub-glaucous; midrib prominent, yellow, frequently intersecting the adaxial margin and contiguous with it for about up to 3 mm below the apex, marginal nerves prominent and yellow (red when young), lateral nerves 94 Nuytsia Vol, 10, No. 1 (1995) seemingly absent or few and very obscure (more apparent on large phyllodes); apical point subulate, ± pungent, 1-3 mm long, straight or slightly curved, brown; pulvinar area c. 0.5 mm long, yellowish, a clearly differentiated and wrinkled pulvinus not developed. Gland insignificant, situated on the upper margin of the phyllode 0-10 mm above the base, not raised, oblong, 0.2-0.3(0.4)mm long, 0. l-0.2(0.3) mm wide. Inflorescences simple or racemose. Racemes 5-35 mm long and 2-8-headed. Peduncles 5-25 mm long, 1(2) per node, glabrous, reddish when young, finely longitudinally sulcate when dry; basal peduncular bracts absent at anthesis. Heads g\obu\ax, bright lemon yellow, 7-10 mm diam., 5-12- flowered, flowers not densely arranged. Bracteoles ± persistent, oblong to ovate, shallowly concave, c. 1 mm long, dark brown. Flowers 4-merous, glabrous; buds ovoid to narrowly ovoid, obtuse, reddish when young. Calyx 1/5- 1/4 the length of the corolla, gamosepalous, ± truncate to very shallowly divided into rounded or broadly triangular lobes separated by wide sinuses, the lobes not thickened; calyx tube nerveless and broad-based. Petals narrowly ovate, acuminate, apex thickened, c. 5 mm long and 2 mm wide, free to base and spreading but not reflexed at anthesis. Ovary 1 per flower, glabrous, slightly deflexed at apex of a thick, terete gynophore which is c. 0.6 mm long. Pods linear, to 6.5 cm long, 3-4 mm wide with 7-8 seeds, erect, coriaceous-crustaceous to sub-woody, curved, glabrous, purplish red and slightly pruinose when young (drying black), not reticulate, apex shortly and abruptly uncinate, neither constricted between nor obviously raised over .seeds, dehiscing at first along the dorsal suture but the valves completely separating by splitting from the base; margins prominently undulate and sometimes thus giving the pod a twisted appearance, thickened, yellowish to light brown. Seeds (subsp. heterochroa) longitudinal in the pod, oblongoid, 3.5-4 mm long, 1.8-2. 2 mm wide, somewhat compressed (1.3 mm thick), glossy, brown, greyish brown just prior to maturity, with a very obscure, dark brown peripheral line; pleurogram very obscure, narrowed and open towards the hilum; areole c. 2.5 mm long and 1 mm wide; funicle minute and filiform, abruptly expanded into a thick, curved, yellowish aril 2 mm long. Distribution. Occurs in the Ravensthorpe and Holt Rock districts, southwest Western Australia. Two allopatric subspecies are recognized (see key above). 4a. A. heterochroa Maslin subsp. heterochroa Phyllodes elliptic with some tending obovate or ovate, sometimes broadly elliptic or almost circular, apical point ± pungent, 15-35 mm long, 10-25 mm wide. Inflorescences mostly simple and initiated on developing new shoots within axils of diminutive phyllodes, the subtending phyllodes commonly not fully expanded by anthesis, sometimes interspersed with a few short axillary racemes (5-17 mm long and 2-7 -headed), occasionally falsely racemose at ends of branchlets apparently due to suppression of the subtending phyllodes. Peduncles 10-25 mm long, normally single in axils of reduced phyllodes at ends of branchlets, sometimes a few in short racemes 5-17 mm long; heads 8-12-flowered. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; 40 km due N of Ravensthorpe, K.L. Bradby 90 (PERTH); 21.25 km S of Coujinup Hill, M.A. Burgman and S. McNee MAB 2009 (PERTH); Ravensthorpe, y. Goodwin 23 1 (PERTH); Mount Desmond, c. II km S of Ravensthorpe, R./?. 2568 (K, PERTH); 0.5 miles [0,8 km] E of Elverdton Mine, K.R. Newbey 938 (K, PERTH); road to Mount Short, east of Lake King - Ravensthorpe road, R.A. Sajfrey ?>75 (AD, BRI, MEL, NY, PERTH); 4 km SE of Ravensthorpe on hill 1 km E of main road to Hopetoun, P. G. Wilson 5519 (NSW, PERTH); Ravensthorpe Range, c. 8 km N of Ravensthorpe, P.G. Wilson 7975 (CBG, MO, PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Eyre Botanical District (1:250,000 maps 150-8, 15 1-5). Occurring predominantly in the Ravensthorpe Range from Mount Short southeast to the vicinity B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 95 of Elverdton Mine (c. 15 km southeast of Ravensthorpe) with two occurrences outside the Range, one about 20-30 km east of Ravensthorpe in the vicinity of the Rabbit Proof Fence north of Highway No. I (c. 33°30'S, 120° 15'E)and another approximately 40 km north of Ravensthorpe (33° 07'S, 120° 05'E). Much of the land between the Range and the Fence has been cleared and it is likely that the species could have occurred in parts of this area prior to clearing (J. Lewis, pers. comm.). The species is common throughout its present range. Habitat. The following notes are taken mostly from an unpublished report prepared hy J. Lewis in 1982. The species is not highly specific for a particular vegetation and soil type. It occurs in tall dense to low open mallee scrub (e.g. Eucalyptus conglobata, E. eremophila, E. falcata, E. goniantha, E. incrassata, E. platypus, E. tetmgona, and E. transcontinentalis) with a dense sclerophyllous understorey comprising species such as Banksia laevigata, Allocasuarina humilis, Daviesia uniflora, Dryandra conferta and Grevillea concinna. The preferred soil types range from grey-white to orange- brown gravelly sand to rocky laterite and ironstone on ridgelines or moderately exposed gentle slopes of hillsides. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flower buds have been recorded from April to December and are probably present for most of the year. The main flowering flush is from July to December during which time new shoots and developing pods are frequently present, the latter particularly from August to October. Mature pods have been collected in December. Affinities. Resembling A. durabilis with which it is often sympatric in the Ravensthorpe Range but A. durabilis is recognized by its more prominently ribbed branchlets, prominent, persistent stipules, phyllodes with a prominent basal gland and a shorter, deflexed, less pungent tip, cream to pale yellow heads, ± spirally twisted pods which do not have undulate margins and seeds with funicles that are dilated at the point of attachment to the pod. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority Three - Poorly Known Taxa. See end of this issue. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the Greek hetero - different, and -chrous - coloured, and refers to the contrasting colours of the stems, phyllodes, new shoots, heads and young pods. 4b. A. heterochroa subsp. robertii Maslin, subsp. nov. A subsp. heterochroa phyllodiis inaequilateraliter obtriangularibus ad obdeltatis, margine adaxiale supra medium cum conspicuo angulo rotundato et puncto acute pungente, 10-25 mm longis et 10-15 mm latis, 0.8-1.5-plo longioribus quam latioribus, intlorescentiis praecipue racemosis sed interdum aliquot simplicibus capitulis in axillis, racemis 10-35 mm longis, 2-8 capitulis et plerumque aggregatis ramulorum versus apicem, pedunculo 5-10 mm longo, capitulis 5-6-floribus, seminibus maturis non visus differt Typus: Digger Rock area, Western Australia, 24 July 1979, R.F. Maslin s.n. (holo: PERTH 00160830). Differs from subsp heterochroa primarily in the following ways. Phyllodes inaequilaterally obtriangular to obdeltate, adaxial margin with a con.spicuous rounded angle above the middle, apical point sharply pungent, 1 0-25 mm long, 10- 15 mm wide, length to width ratio 0.8- 1.5. Inflorescences predominantly racemose but sometimes interspersed with a few simple axillary heads, the racemes 96 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) 10-35 mm long, 2-8-headed and mostly aggregated towards the ends of the branchlets; peduncles 5-10 mm long. Heads 5-6-flowered. Mature seed n.v. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Timber Reserve n. 20342, 32° 39'S, 1 19° 14'E, K.J. Atkins 1 820 (CANB, K, PERTH); Varley, 8 km E of Rabbit Proof Eence on Carstairs Road, B. & B. Backhouse H/30 (PERTH) and M. Pieroni 90/2 (PERTH); Holt Rock, A. Dirusse 2 (PERTH); South Ironcap, K.R. Newbey 3356 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Roe Botanical District (1:250,000 map 150-4). Known only from the few localities listed above in the Holt Rock district, some 100 km north of the typical subspecies. Habitat. Grows mostly on lateritic gravel occasionally with sand, or in rocky loam, appearing to favour hilltops or ridges in woodland or heath. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens recorded for July and September. Mature sterile pods have been collected in December. Discussion. The superficial differences, particularly phyllode shape, between subsp. rohertii and the typical subspecies seem quite large. However, in the absence of having seen pods of subsp. robertii it seems best that it not be afforded species rank at the present time. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority Two - Poorly Known Taxa. See end of this issue. Etymology. Named in honour of Robert Frederick Maslin, my brother, who discovered the subspecies and collected the type. 5. Acacia myrtifolia (Smith) Willd., Sp. PI. 4th edn, 4: 1054 (1806) Mimosa myrtifolia Smith, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 1 : 252 (1791); Phyllodoce myrtifolia (Smith) Link, Handbuch 2: 133 (1831); CnpanV/a wiyrri/b/ra (Smith) Raf., Sylva Tellur. 120(1838). Typus: cultivated at Sion Gardens, seed from New South Wales, flowered 1790, T. Hoy (n.v.). Note: A specimen at Kew, ex herb. Bishop Goodenough, labelled “Mimosa myrtifolia. Botany Bay - 1794” was cited as isotype by Pedley (1980: 258), however, this was seemingly collected three years after the publication of the name. A. marginata R. Br. in W.T. Aiton, Hortus Kew. 2nd edn, 5: 462 (1813); Mimosa marginata (R. Br.) Poiret, Encycl. Meth. (Bot.) Suppl. 5: 530 (1817), nom. inval. (combination not actually made); A. myrtifolia f. angustifolia Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 377 ( 1 864); A. myrtifolia var. angustifolia (Benth.) Benth., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 30: 475 (1875). Lectotype (fide Maslin & Cowan, ): “Mimosa.” King George III Sound [Albany, Western Australia], Dec. 1801, R. Brown (BM - upper left hand fruiting specimen on sheet titled “Iter Australiense, 1802-5” and bearing [Britten no.] 4336 ). A. trigona A. DC., Huitieme Not. PI. Rar. Geneve 20 (1840); Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 9: 94 (1841). Typus: “Culta in hortis Genevensibus. Floret Maio.” (n.v.). Note; The following specimen at G, collected one year after the original publication of this name, and annotated “trigona” by A.P. de Candolle, was likely to have come from the type plant “Acacia trigona Alph. DC.! h. genev. noth. Cult. Genev. 1841”. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 97 A. marginata var. angustata Meissner in J.G.C. Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 1: 14 (1844). Lectotype (fide Maslin & Cowan, 1994); Mount Clarence [Albany], Western Australia, 30 September 1840, L. Preiss 927, ex parte (LD; isolecto: A, C, FI, G, GOET, HBG, K, M, MEL, NY, P, SIR, W.) A. pawlikowskyana Ohlend., Neue Allg. Deutsche Garten-Blumenzeitung 1 : 369 ( 1 845), synon. nov. Typus: between Cape Riche and Bald Head [Albany], Western Australia, collector not given (n.v.). See discussion below. A. niyrtifolia var. major Meissner in J.G.C. Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2: 203 (1848), synon. nov. Typus: Cape Riche, Western Australia, L. Preiss 2641 (n.v.). See discussion below. A. marginata var. brevifolia Regel, Gartenflora 2: 196, t. 57 (1853), synon. nov. Typus: Cultivated in Hort. A.N. Baumann, Bollwiller, flowers in March-April (n.v.). A. myrtifolia f. normalis Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 377 (1864), nom. inval. A. acutifolia Maiden & Blakely, J. Roy. Soc. W. Australia 13: 14, pi. 1 1, figs 1-4 (1928), synon. nov. Typus: Bruce Rock-Merredin district. Western Australia, December 1916,F. Stoward 14 [locality and other collecting details probably erroneous, see discussion below] (holo: NSW; iso: MEL - Fragment ex NSW). [A. amoena auct. non H.L. Wendl.: F.M. Bailey, Queensland FI. 2: 489 {\9QQ), fide L. Pedley, Austrobaileya 1: 258 (1980)] Illustrations: J.E. Smith, Spec. Bot. New Holland 53, t. 15 (1795); J.H. Maiden & W.F. Blakely, loc. cit., as A. acutifolia] E.R. Rotherham et ai, FI. PI. New South Wales and S. Queensland 71 (1975); D.J.E. Whibley, Acac. S. Australia 121 (1980); L. Costermans NativeTrees Shrubs S.E. Australia 314 (1981); B.A. Lebler, Wildfl. S.E. Queensland 2; 58 (1981); M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 1: 131, pi. 12 (1981); T. Tame, Acac. S.E. Australia 143, fig. 154, pi. 154 (1992). Glabrous, bushy shrubsO.5-3 m tall. New shoots often red. Branchlets a.ng\td, prominently ribbed, normally red. Stipules early caducous. Phyllodes ± oblique, commonly narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, sometimes linear to linear-elliptic, acute or obtuse-mucronate, sometimes coarsely pungent, normally 2-13 cm long, 0.4-3(3.5)cm wide, usually thick and coriaceous, smooth, erect, green, midrib and marginal nerves prominent, lateral nerves absent or obscure. Gland prominent, mostly 5-20 mm above pulvinus. Racemes 1-6 cm long, rarely to 12 cm, 3-20-headed; peduncles 3-12 mm long, stout; heads ± globular, creamy yellow, less commonly bright lemon yellow, 2-5-tlowered, sometimes to 8-flowered. Flowers 4-merous, large; calyx gamosepalous, truncate to very shallowly sinuately lobed; ovary tomentulose. Pods linear, to 9 cm long, 3-5 mm wide, crustaceous to sub- woody, erect, curved, marginal nerve thick and undulate. Seeds longitudinal, narrowly oblong, 3. 5-4. 5 mm long, shiny, brown or greyish brown, aril terminal. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 9 miles [ 14.4 km] NW of Fitzgerald River Mouth, NE of Bremer Bay, K.M. Allan3l5 (B, K, PERTH); Shannon Rock, 1 km W of Shannon River, Manjimup-Walpole road, B.G. Briggs 6535 (CANS, NSW, PERTH); 2 km east of Yallingup, R.J. Gumming 891 (PERTH); Margaret River, C.A. Gardner 5595 (PERTH); 43 miles [68.8 km] east of Esperance,/ Goodwin2A9 (PERTH); 5 km west of Cape Riche, G.J. Keighery 8337 (PERTH); 25 km S of Hyden on the road to Newdegate, B.R. Maslin 5776 (BRI, CBG, NSW, PERTH); 5 miles [8 98 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) km] SE of Boy up Brook on the road to Cranbrook, B.R. Maslin 636 (MEL, NSW, PERTH); Bendering Reserve, c. 1 8 km due ENE of Bendering Siding, B.R. Maslin 5765 (CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH); 10 km SW of Ongerup, K. Newbey 9494 (PERTH); on road between Gairdner River and Bremer Bay Road, S. Paust 592 (PERTH); near Spencer’s house [Strawberry Hill Farm, Albany], L.Preiss 920 (G, LD, MO, NY, P, STRAS); creek behind S end of Mylies Beach, near East Mount Barren, A.N. Rodd 5085 and 7. McCarthy (NSW, PERTH); Warren, E.M.C. Schock5^ (PERTH); N and E of Brockmans stockyards, Warren district, 18 October 1916, F.M. Schock s.n. (PERTH 00191949); Torbay Inlet, adjacent to Mutton Bird Island, P.S. Short 2630, with M. Amerena and B.A. Fuhrer{MEL, PERTH); eastern base of Flinders Peak, Middle Island, A. S. Weston 8881 (PERTH). SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Willunga, c. 50 km south of Adelaide, Mine road to Victor Harbour, c. 5 km S of Willunga, 7.Z. Weber 56Q (AD, PERTH); Manning Reserve nearMacLaren Flat,Z).7.£. Whibley 1 33 1 (AD); Menglers Hill, near Tanunda, c. 60 km northeast of Adelaide, D.J.E. Whibley 3806 (AD, PERTH). QUEENSLAND: Mount Ernest, McPherson Range, P./. Forster and G. Leiper, L.H. BirdiBBI, CBG, K, NSW, PERTH); KroombitTops, c. 65 km SSW of Gladstone, W.J.F. McDonald 1014 (BRI). NEW SOUTH WALES: Bahai Temple, Ingleside, R. Coveny 11084 and P. Blind (NSW, PERTH); Blue Mountains, 0.3 km S along track which intersects Bells Line of Road, 4.6 km E of Bilpin, B.R. Maslin 5878 (NSW, PERTH); Belmont North, T. Tame 2039 (PERTH). VICTORIA: Western Little Desert National Park, A.C. Beauglehole ACB 87701 and L.W. Heubner (MEL, PERTH); East Gippsland, Genoa Peak, S. Forbes 29\ 1 (MEL, PERTH); Melbourne suburban area, Croyden, reserve between Exeter Road and Holloway Road, west of Neuparth Road,B.P. Maslin 5864 (AD, K, MEL); Dandenongs, Menzies Creek area, J.H. Ross 2791 (AD, BRI, CBG, HO, MEL, PERTH). TASMANIA: Clarkes Island, Furneaux Group, J.S. Whinray 1692 (MEL). Distribution. Widespread and common in temperate southern Australia, occurring in all states. Grows on sand or sand over laterite or granite, in forest, woodland, scrub or heath, often in coastal and near- coastal areas. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flower buds have been recorded from May to November however the main flush of flowering is from August to October. Developing pods are present from September and reach maturation in November and December. Variation. In Western Australia this is a somewhat variable species and is here broadly circumscribed because detailed analyses of variation patterns are needed to ascertain appropriate ranks for the variants noted below. Specimens from forest regions at the western end of the range (roughly west of Albany; also .some specimens from Kangaroo Island, South Australia) have long, linear to very narrowly elliptic phyllodes with length to width ratio mostly >10 (elsewhere length to width ratio is <10). This variant has been described as A. marginata, A. myrtifolia var. angustifolia and A. acutifolia (see below). A specimen with especially large phyllodes (to 13 x 3.5 cm), collected from Cape Riche (i.e. K. Newbey 4466, PERTH), presumably corresponds to the entity described as A. myrtifolia var. »!q;or (however, the type of this name has not been seen). The most inland specimens in Western Australia have bright lemon yellow heads (e.g. B.R. Maslin 5765) but elsewhere in Western Australia the heads are creamy yellow; in eastern Australia the heads are also sometimes bright lemon yellow. Typification and synonymy. Although the type of A. myrtifolia might be expected to be at The Herbarium of the Linnean Society in London (LINN; fide Stafleu and Cowan 1985) I was unable to locate it there in 1975. According to Stafleu and Cowan there is material from Smith's herbarium at B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 99 a number of other herbaria. Of those listed by them I have searched at BM, DBN, OXF and P without success; I have refrained from neotypifying the name without having searched the remaining herbaria. The type of A. pawlikowskyana has not been seen, however, given that it was collected from between Cape Riche and Albany it is more likely that this name is synonymous with A. myrtifolia than with A. celastrifolia as was given by Seemann (1852: 28). On the same page of this work Seeman also included “A. Ludwigii Ohlendorf. Verz. 1844. p. 74.” as a synonym of A. celastrifolia. However, I have not seen the Ohlendorf reference or type and am therefore following Seeman in treating this name as a synonym of A. celastrifolia. Although the type of A. marginata var. brevifolia has not been seen, the protologue contains a good illustration enabling the identification of Regel’s plant. It represents the common form of A. myrtifolia which occurs in eastern Australia and extends westward to near Albany in Western Australia. Acacia acutifolia was described by Maiden & Blakely based on material supposedly collected by F. Steward in 1916 from the Bruce Rock-Merredin district. However, nothing resembling the type has ever been located in that area despite a number of extensive surveys of the region by the author and others (the area is now extensively cleared for agriculture). Nevertheless there are two PERTH specimens which are excellent matches for the type of A. acutifolia. These were collected in 1 9 16 by F.M.C. Schock from the Warren district which is a region about 400 km southwest of Bruce Rock and centred around Manjimup and Pemberton (well within the range of A. myrtifolia). As it is very unlikely that an Acacia species would have a natural distribution extending from the semi-arid, shrubland/woodland Bruce Rock-Merredin district to the mesic, densely forested Warren district, it seems that the locality (and probably also the other collecting details) given on the type of A. acutifolia are erroneous. Whether or not the material that Maiden & Blakely used in their description of A. acutifolia was indeed collected by Schock from the Warren district cannot be ascertained with certainty at the present time. The Schock specimens and the type of A. acutifolia all represent the long phyllode variant of A. myrtifolia from west of Albany. Affinities. Acacia myrtifolia appears to be most closely related to A. celastrifolia, A. clydonophora and A. heterochroa. The most significant characters separating these species from the other members of the “Acacia myrtifolia Group” are their early caducous stipules and their long, linear pods with characteristically undulate margins. Cultivation. Acacia myrtifolia is a fast growing and attractive ornamental and was one of the earliest Australian plants brought into cultivation in Europe. Common names. Myrtle Wattle, Red Stem Wattle. Consen’ation status. Widespread, not under threat. 6. Acacia pygmaea Maslin, sp. nov. Suffrutex nanus 0.3-0.5(0.7) m altus. Ramuli teretes, costati. Stipulae c. 0.5 mm longae. Phyllodia elliptica usque obovata, 20-30 mm longa, 9-13 mm lata, glabra, 1-nervia, nervus secundus minus distinctus, nervi laterales obscuri; glans non prominens. Inflorescentiae simplices, axillares. Pedunculi 4-7 mm longi, glabri. Florum capitula globularia, alba, 3-4-flora. Flores 4-meri, glabri. Calyx 1/5 corollae longitudinis attingens, gamosepalus, truncatus. Petala enervia. Gynandrophorum 0.5 mm 100 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 1 (1995) longum, capitatum. Gynoecium 1(2) per florem, deflexum. Legumina anguste oblonga, ad 30 mm longa, 3-4 mm lata, glabra, margine incrassata, non undulata. Semina in legumine longitudinalia, obloidea, 4-5 mm longa, 2.5-2.8 mm lata, atrobrunnea. Typus: Wongan Hills area, 200 km northeast of Perth [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons]. Western Australia, 27 October 1980, K.F. Kenneally 7496 (holo; PERTH 00197602; iso; CANB, K). Dwarf, erect s'mgle-stcmmed sub-shrubs 0.3-0. 5(0. 7) m tall. Bark grey at base of stems, light brown at ends of branchlets. Branchlets prominently ribbed, ribs yellow, glabrous. Stipules shallowly triangular, c. 0.5 mm long, dark brown. Phyllodes e\\\pt\c to obovate, slightly asymmetric, 20-30 mm long, 9-13 mm wide, length to width ratio 2. 1-2.5, not significantly undulate, thin, erect, crowded towards ends of branchlets, shed with age, glabrous, green; midrib prominent on each face, often slightly eccentric, normally a minor second longitudinal nerve arising from the adaxial side of the midrib near the pulvinus and extending for about 1/2 the length of the phyllode; marginal nerves yellow (pale red when young); lateral nerves few and obscure; apex obtuse, minutely apiculate; pulvinus c. 0.5 mm long, yellow, not rugose. Gland not prominent, situate) on upper margin of phyllode 4-7 mm above the base, elliptic, 0.3-0.5 mm long, 0.2-0.3 mm wide. Inflorescences simple, axillary, 1(2) per node. Peduncles A-1 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bracts absent. Heads globular, filaments white but turning orange with age, 3-4-flowered. Bracteoles persistent, sessile, ovate, concave, c. 0.6 mm long, yellowish but turning brown with age. Flowers 4-merous, glabrous; mature buds large, 3.5 x 1 .5 mm, ovoid-ellipsoid, bluntly acute, ± 4-angled. Calyx 1/5 the length of the corolla, gamosepalous, truncate to very shallowly divided into broadly triangular lobes separated by wide sinuses, the lobes not thickened; calyx tube nerveless and broad-based. Petals elliptic, 3.3-3.5 mm long, 1 .8-2 mm wide, free to base at anthesis, greenish. Gynandrophore 0.5 mm long, capitate. Ovary I (very rarely 2) per flower, prominently deflexed on a terete gynophore 0.5- 1 mm long. Pods narrowly oblong, acute, to 30 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, ( 1 )2-4-seeded, retrorse by a strongly recurved stipe, crustaceous, light reddish brown, glabrous, normally not constricted between seeds, very slightly raised over the seeds, dehiscing at first along the dorsal suture with the seeds remaining attached for some time, valves recurved following their complete separation; margins not undulate, marginal nerves prominently thickened. Seeds longitudinal in the pod, oblongoid to ellipsoid but narrowed towards the hilum, 4-5 mm long, 2.5-2. 8 mm wide, turgid (2 mm thick), shiny, dark brown except for the areolar area which is grey-brown, with a very shallowly concave peripheral band; pleurogram fine, open towards the hilum, often bordered by a narrow band of yellow tissue; areole c. 3 mm long, 1 mm wide; funicle filiform, c. 1 mm long, expanded into a normally once folded, yellowish aril which is brown near the hilum. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: all from the one population at the type locality, K.F. Kenneally 5891 (BRI, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH) and 7194 (PERTH); B.R. Maslin 4804, 4550 and 4550A (all PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Avon Botanical District (1 :250,000 map H50-10). Known only from the type locality where less than 50 plants are known to occur. Habitat. The species is confined to three adjacent ridges composed of massive laterite; it does not extend down the lateritic scree slopes. It grows in association with Eucalyptus ebbanoensis, Dryandra comosa, D. hewardiana, D. pulchella, Allocasuarina campestris and Persoonia divergens. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 12 101 Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering from about November to March. Pods take nearly a year to mature. Seed has been collected in late October at which time mature buds were present. Affinities. The new species is perhaps most closely allied to A. disticha (see above). It appears also related to A. obovata Benth. which is also a dwarf sub-shrub with phyllodes similar to those of A. pygmaea in shape and size; furthermore, both species have pale-coloured, 4-merous flowers, reduced calyces and pods which dehisce by first splitting along their dorsal suture. However, besides being more widespread and occurring further west (i.e. Jurien Bay area south to Augusta), A. obovata is distinguished from A. pygmaea by its multi-stemmed growth habit, nan'owly triangular stipules which are 1 .5-4 mm long, frequently hairy branchlets and phyllodes, undulate phyllodes with conspicuous lateral veins and a raised marginal gland, heads (5)7-9-flowered, extremely reduced racemose inflorescences and its pods which reach 1 10 mm long and 5-6 mm wide. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority R - Declared Rare Flora - Extant Taxa. See end of this issue. Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin pygmaeus - dwarf, and refers to the diminutive height of this species. Acknowledgements Karina Knight and Suzanne Curry are gratefully acknowledged for their expert technical assistance. Both Richard S. Cowan and K.H. Rechinger are thanked for preparing the Latin descriptions included here. The research was undertaken with assistance provided by grants from the Australian Biological Resources Study. References Guinet, P., Vasiial, J.. Evans, C.S. and Ma.slin, B.R. (1980). Acacia (Mimosoideae): composition and affinities of the .series Pulchellae Bentham. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 80: 53-68. Maslin, B.R. & Cowan, R.S. (1994). C.F. Meissner’s species of Acacia (Leguminosae. Mimosoideae): typification of the names. Nuytsia 9: 399-414. Maslin, B.R. & Cowan R..S. ( 1 995). Robert Brown, the typification of his new Acacia names in edition 2 of Aiton’s “Hoitus Kewensis.” Nuytsia 10: 107-118. Pedley, L. (1980). A revision of Acacia Mill, in Queensland (concluded). Austrobaileya 1: 235-337. Robbertse, P.J. (1974). The genus Acacia in South Africa. 11. With special reference to the morphology of the flower and inflorescence. Phytomorphology 24: 1-15. Seemann, B.C. (1852). “Die in Eiiropa eingefulirten Acacien, mit Beriick.sichtigung der giirtenerischen Namen”. (Riimpler: Hannover,) Stafleu, F.A. & Cowan, R.S, (1985). “Taxonomic Literature”, edition 2. Volume V: Sal-Ste. (Bohn, Scheltema & Holkema: Utrecht.) Vassal, J. (1972). Apport des recherches ontogeniques et seminologiques a Tetude morphologique, taxonomique et phylogenique du genre Acacia. Bull. Soc. Hist, Nat. Toulouse 108: 105-247. Ifs.^ '■ . '.-^Jrf- ,-::^ [•’'. i .-• :>v' . .£T .■ V'V ?■•':' . >v' . r'.• • »V' ■•].•■ rwS'